Hungary's political challenger says his 'vision' can beat Orbán

A political newcomer who is causing headaches for Hungary's government has said his experience as a regime insider can help him succeed where other opposition figures have failed, citing his rise in the polls and "vision" as signs that change is possible.

- Lili Bayer

Fourteen years after Viktor Orbán returned to office as prime minister and put the country on an illiberal path, some Hungarians had lost hope his hold on power could be eroded.

But Péter Magyar, a former member of the ruling Fidesz party's inner circle, is now on a mission to convince Hungarians that Orbán's government should - and can - be defeated.

"Two months ago, nobody knew me in Hungary," Magyar said in an interview with the Guardian. "Today, we had the biggest political rally." It was 9pm on Saturday, and Magyar was sitting at a coffee shop near Hungary's parliament with a glass of Coca-Cola, at the end of a marathon day that, he hopes, could mark a turning point for Hungary. 

Hours earlier, he led a demonstration of tens of thousands in front of the parliament building. The protesters sang together and held hands, as Magyar urged them to put ideological differences aside and unite to create a different future for the country.

But even after the vast crowd headed home, some stayed behind, excitedly waiting for a selfie with Magyar, who has become a household name in recent weeks.