Hungary’s Political Shift Leaves Citizens Disoriented as New Government Pledges Media Reform

Thousands of Hungarians gathered in Budapest streets last weekend following Viktor Orbán’s unexpected defeat, expressing mixed reactions to the country’s dramatic political shift. While many celebrated, others—particularly in rural areas—have been left fearful and uncertain about the future.

In the rural eastern regions of Hungary, the victory of opposition leader Márki-Zay and his Tiza party has triggered anxiety among some elderly residents. Balash, a 42-year-old financial analyst, described his 80-year-old great-grandmother’s reaction as fearful rather than celebratory.

“As if you’re old, you’re in the village, you’re poor, you only have two channels, you listen to state radio,” Balash explained, highlighting the information divide between urban and rural Hungary.

During the campaign, media outlets controlled by Orbán’s Fidesz party portrayed Márki-Zay as a dangerous warmonger who would drag Hungary into the neighboring Ukraine conflict. These outlets spread alarming narratives that a Márki-Zay victory would lead to military conscription, economic collapse, and potentially a third world war.

The new administration has wasted no time addressing what Márki-Zay calls the “propaganda machine” built during Orbán’s 16-year grip on power. This media apparatus effectively sidelined opposition voices, including Márki-Zay himself, who was barred from appearing on state media for 18 months while Tiza gained momentum in the polls.

Only after securing victory was Márki-Zay finally invited to appear on the state-controlled television channel M1. The interview quickly turned contentious, with the new leader condemning the channel for spreading “lies” about his family and comparing its broadcasts to propaganda from authoritarian regimes.

“We bear no personal grudge, but one element of our program is that this factory of lies will be ended after the formation of the Tiza government,” Márki-Zay declared during the interview. “This isn’t about me, but about the fact that everyone deserves public media that report truthfully.”

Before the election, Márki-Zay had predicted that his victory would feel disorienting for many Hungarians, likening it to the jarring conclusion of the 1998 film “The Truman Show,” where the protagonist discovers his entire life has been a fabricated reality. He warned that voters might experience “cognitive dissonance” as their worldview was challenged, noting that many “won’t change their minds overnight.”

Gábor Polyák, a media studies professor at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, confirmed hearing reports about elderly people in rural areas experiencing severe anxiety following the election results. “I have heard stories about people who have grown despondent and cannot get out from under the bed,” Polyák said.

Despite these concerning reactions, the election results suggest that a majority of Hungarians, weary of stagnation and corruption, have rejected state media messaging. According to Polyák, the propagandists may have believed their own narratives more than their intended audience did.

Media experts warn that reforming Hungary’s media landscape will be a lengthy process. The extensive network of private companies with ties to the former regime may continue financing pro-Orbán outlets, presenting an ongoing challenge to establishing balanced information sources.

Nevertheless, for many journalists, the past week has signaled a potential new beginning. Following his contentious interview, Márki-Zay demonstrated a different approach to media relations by spending approximately three hours answering reporters’ questions—a stark contrast to the previous administration’s restrictive practices.

“In my view, season one is over. I am almost sure that season two will begin soon,” remarked one observer, capturing the sentiment of cautious optimism among media professionals.

The shifts in Hungary’s media environment represent a critical turning point for the nation’s democratic institutions. The new government, despite limited governing experience, now faces the complex task of establishing accountability, dismantling entrenched propaganda systems, and rebuilding public trust in information sources.

While the path forward contains significant challenges, many Hungarians remain hopeful that more transparent media policies will foster open dialogue and strengthen democratic norms after years of increasingly authoritarian governance.