Fidesz must be kicking itself! They didn’t take advantage of Péter when they had the chance!

With polls now consistently showing Fidesz trailing up to 10 points behind Tisza, one of the most frustrating things for them must surely be that they did this to themselves. And, I don’t mean due to their lack of governing abilities, shameless corruption, or lazy complacency.

I mean that Péter Magyar — the wildly popular founder of the opposition Tisza Party who threatens to topple them — was one of them. And they missed it. 

Literally all of Magyar’s superpowers: agility, relentless energy, good ideas, ability to make a great speech and connect with people, and innate social media skills were all within their arsenal.

Afterall, Magyar was a Fidesz insider for decades, he had government roles that they appointed him to, and he was married to the Justice MInister.

Yet, instead of harnessing his good qualities, they dismissed him as some upstart who was too critical of them, and they tried to shove him in the corner giving him just the bare minimum of roles to keep him quiet. 

While his wife (whose since proven to be far less capable) was ascending to Justice Minister, they made him CEO of Diákhitel Központ Zrt, the Hungarian Student Loan Center.

They didn’t embrace some of his ideas (which have proven to be hugely popular) or give him a position of influence to help reform the party. It seems clear now if they would have listened to some of his ideas, they wouldn’t be in the mess they are now in.

Instead, Fidesz power brokers dismissed him as some recalcitrant trouble maker — with too many big ideas and too many critical views…. They hated that he wouldn’t shut the eff up and toe the party line.

The dismissed him as arrogant. 

But maybe it’s them — the powers-that-be in Fidesz — who were the arrogant ones? They clearly thought they were better than him. They clearly thought “we know what we’re doing, what would you know?”

Quite a lot as it is transpires.

According to a detailed Direk36 report, his old friend and Fidesz press spokes Gergo Gulyas, laughed when Magyar told him he would go public with his views. “No one would care what you say” Gulyas allegedly said.

Not so fast, smarty pants, it turns out quite a few people cared. His first Partizan tell-all interview has 2.7 million views.

Fuck around and find out, as they say.

They clearly suffered from groupthink and a lack of imagination — unable to see that perhaps they were on the wrong track and Hungarians were primed for a charismatic leader to swoop in and get their votes.

Apparently, at parties, he would tire them with his heterodox ideas and sharp criticisms. How they must be kicking themselves that they didn’t listen a little and keep him inside the tent. 

MP is the most exciting thing to happen in Hungarian politics since 16 June 1989. It is an incredible time in the history of Hungary. How exciting for those who are there! we Hungarians are so lucky to have someone like Péter Magyar to shake things up

One of the things I like most about Péter Magyar’s story is how relatable it is for many people. Feeling underestimated, looked down upon. Especially, when it’s people in power who can actually shove you aside and destroy you.

Magyar shows that sometimes, you can get your own back. He went from underrated to unstoppable, and those in Fidesz who thought their roles as the giver and taker of good fortune in Hungary, could soon be polishing their CVs while Magyar himself is sworn in as Prime Minister.

How I’ll relish that moment.