Thursday evening, May 30, a few thousand Hungarians demonstrated in Budapest, in front of a building near the Danube where public television was organizing an electoral debate. The demonstration was organized by Péter Magyar, a former regime executive, who in three months became the new figurehead of the opposition to Viktor Orban. He virulently attacks the government, which has transformed public media into a propaganda machine. He had been calling for a debate on state television for weeks, which was finally accepted, but in conditions considered very imperfect by the European candidates.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Budapest, Florence La Bruyère
Acclaimed by his supporters, Péter Magyar said a few words before joining the other candidates taking part in the debate on Hungarian public television. This television spreads lies, accuses Peter Magyar : “ She says I am for war and want to send Hungarians to fight in Ukraine. »
In Hungary, no one is for war, we are all for peace. No matter how much they lie, it’s the truth!
Andras, a Budapester who works in logistics, wears a t-shirt in the colors of Péter Magyar’s party. What revolts him is that his taxes finance the propaganda of the ruling party, Fidesz. “ Our money finances state channels that broadcast lies and stoke fear, he denounces. I prefer to watch the news on the Internet or Twitter, rather than this government propaganda machine. »
All the parties competing for these European elections participated in the public television broadcast. But for Klara Dobrev, of the left-wing Democratic Coalition party, the exercise was frustrating. “ The candidates have a few minutes to give their monologue. I don’t call it a debate! » However imperfect it may be, this is the first debate on public television since the return to power of Viktor Orban 14 years ago.
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