Péter Magyar: Hungary's Democratic Hope or Orbán 2.0? | DW News

August 1, 2026 | Peter Magyar came to power promising to dismantle Viktor Orbán's authoritarian system and restore Hungary's democratic institutions. But just months into office, he's using sweeping constitutional powers, removing Orbán-era officials, and pushing through rapid reforms that some critics say look uncomfortably familiar.

So is Magyar doing what it takes to undo 15 years of democratic backsliding, or is Hungary witnessing the rise of a new strongman?

DW Correspondent Teri Schultz and Princeton professor Kim Lane Scheppele assess whether Brussels is starting to worry, why the EU is largely backing Magyar for now, and whether democracy can be rebuilt using the very powers that helped erode it.