Budapest Until a few weeks ago, Peter Marki-Zay only knew political insiders. But now his surprising victory in the primary elections of the Hungarian opposition has catapulted him into the international spotlight. The 49-year-old is set to replace Viktor Orban, who has ruled for over a decade, in the parliamentary elections next spring as the joint top candidate.
“We want to build a new Hungary,” the mayor of the small town of Hodmezövasarhely shouted into the Budapest night sky on Sunday, “we want to bring a new culture to the country.” Next to him were numerous opposition representatives as well as his wife and seven children. On the other hand, the socialist Klara Dobrev, who had clearly defeated Marki-Zay with 56.7 percent against 43.3 percent of the votes in the second ballot, was absent. She merely acknowledged her defeat and promised to work together towards a change of power.
An alliance of six formations had already agreed on the rules of the area code at the beginning of the year, knowing that this is the only way to achieve success against the overpowering ruling party Fidesz. The triumph of Peter Marki-Zay, of all people, whose smallest party is not even part of the alliance, was only possible indirectly: Budapest’s mayor Gergely Karacsony, who was a favorite especially with foreign and liberal media, withdrew after his disappointing performance in the first ballot back in favor of Marki-Zay.
Surprises have a certain tradition at Marki-Zay: His victory in the mayoral election in the southern Hungarian Fidesz stronghold of Hodmezövasarhely in 2018 was considered a sensation. Even then, the father of seven children and a devout Catholic, who had lived in the USA and Canada for five years, benefited from his political immaculateness in Hungary. The novice bonus moved again in the primaries.
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“Today we also changed the opposition,” Marki-Zay announced his promise of renewal on Sunday. The politician, celebrated like a pop star by his mostly young supporters, pointed out that numerous long-established post-socialists had suffered defeats in the primary elections for the direct candidates from 106 seats in parliament. He also marked the distance to the controversial former head of government Ferenc Gyurcsany, who is considered the gray eminence of the opposition.
Sorry to the political opponent
Gyurcsany is the husband of Klara Dobrev, who had fierce verbal battles with Marki-Zay in the primary campaign. The latter accused Dobrev of blackmailing politicians into voting for them in the second ballot. At the same time, Marki-Zay described Gergely Karacsony’s party, which had voted for Dobrev against his instructions, as a “traitor to the fatherland”. His competitor then accused him of using methods reminiscent of Orban and Trump.
Marki-Zay apologized. His assurance on Sunday that he would “hug everyone with love” was probably intended as an olive branch to the socialists. Nevertheless, the tensions within the opposition are clearly palpable. They are, so to speak, inherent in Marki-Zay’s contradicting personality: He scores as a conservative country politician, but, in the absence of a power base of his own, depends on a largely left-liberal party alliance.
In order to downplay the contrasts, the economist, who is considered a marketing expert, uses populist slogans: “The way out is neither right nor left, but only up.” But first he has to grapple with the efforts of the plain. It’s about common positions and lists of the opposition, which apart from the goal of replacing Orban, has little in common.
Essentially, these are five principles that now need to be specified: the strengthening of the independent judiciary and the free press, transparency, a new constitution, more environmental protection and the end of political polarization. Marki-Zay has echoed radical ideas: He sees the Fidesz Constitution, which was passed in 2011, as completely illegitimate. From this it should logically follow that all laws based on it are illegal.
The oppositional lead candidate is clearly pro-European
Although the ruling party also seems surprised by its new opponent, there are indications that it wants to secure its victory with warnings of “left-liberal chaos”. She also hopes that Marki-Zay will split the opposition before the election.
His political positions are more difficult to attack: The oppositional lead candidate is clearly pro-European and criticizes Orban’s conflict strategy with Brussels on questions of the rule of law. However, he is holding back on the controversial issue of migration. Marki-Zay supports the government’s family policy, rejects tax increases and wants to continue to actively support the Hungarian diaspora.
Portraying him as a radical left is therefore likely to be difficult for government propaganda. “Fidesz versus Fidesz”, a journalist close to the government, sums up the initial situation only slightly ironically. If the opposition alliance holds, Marki-Zay could surprise everyone for the third time in the spring.
More: The EU must exclude Hungary – and Poland too. A guest comment.