By: C. William Hanson Jr.

The evening of April 12th saw the city streets throughout Hungary thronging with happy people and flags waving to proclaim “Árad a TISZA” (In English “Let TISZA rise!” or more literally “The River Tisza is flowing”). Joy extended throughout Europe, and in Ukraine new hope arose, a hope to receive soon the ninety billion euro support loan from the EU which requires Hungarian assent. The obstructionist kleptocrat Victor Orbán had just gone down to overwhelming defeat in the Hungarian national election.

Hungary had chosen a new leader, Péter Magyar, a 45 year old pro-European pro-Western politician who favors converting Hungary’s monetary system to the euro, a politician who supports measures to fight corruption and is critical of what it calls the “mafia state” of Viktor Orbán.  Magyar calls for Hungary to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and to take measures to make the judiciary independent. He has proposed holding a referendum to limit the Prime Minister to serving a maximum of 2 terms to a total of 8 years.  Magyar has stated that a top priority for a Tisza government would be to recover the €20 billion of EU funds that the European Commission withheld due to the Fidesz-led government breaching EU law on immigration and asylum seekers. He plans to use these funds to “kick-start” the economy and help smaller businesses. Magyar has committed himself to protecting freedom of assembly and has stated that Hungary should be a country “where no one is stigmatised for loving someone differently than the majority” (Kottász, Zoltán. “Incoming Hungarian PM Vows Pro-Brussels, Pro-LGBT Policies”. The European Conservative, April 13, 2026).

“Tisza” is a portmanteau word derived from the first syllables of the Hungarian words tisztelet (respect) and szabadság (freedom). This is a play on words: the Tisza, Hungary’s second-longest river, is a well-known motif in Hungarian literature and national symbology. The name is used as a theme in party campaigns, with current leader Magyar often referencing it. For example, in reference to the frequency with which the Tisza floods the Great Hungarian Plain, “the Tisza is flooding!” (Hungarian: Árad a Tisza!) has become a popular chant at Magyar’s rallies.

The jubilance which the election results evoke in our Hungarian readers almost exceeds describability.  Barna proclaims, “You might recall how devastated I was 4 years ago on this day… I couldn’t believe that they reelected him for the 4th time! Today is different luckily ❤️.”   Gábor offers:

 “I wanted to give you an impression how tonight played out. We got together with a couple of friends to wait for the results.  We already burst out in tears by 10PM when Orbán gave his concession speech.  Cars are honking on the streets. People are cheering and happy. We’re on our way to a club and we’re surrounded with honking cars and partying people. Like a dark era ended. My soul feels light.”

Keeler explains:

“I was moved by what I saw. Voter turnout showed how committed Hungarians are to transforming Hungary into the country they want to live in. TISZA, as a center-right party, managed to win the confidence of a wider spectrum of voters. These TISZA voters, even though they disagree on individual issues, came together in a show of great unity to reclaim their representation in government. I see it as deeply healing to the collective consciousness of Hungarian society.”

If you, dear reader, also care, I recommend this short video:

We believe that what happened on April 12th may prove to be a crucial turning point in history. The election’s impact not just on Hungary but on Ukraine, Europe generally, and beyond will evolve, and we look forward to covering this evolution for you. Today we learned of an organization active in New England and elsewhere, promoting the Protection of Solonyanshchyna, a region which lies partly in eastern Ukraine and partly in Russia. Kramatorsk lies in this region, a city described in previous issues, where a friend and journalist colleague is stationed whom I have visited twice in the past couple of years. Promoting the Protection of Solonyanshchyna raises funds by organizing benefit concerts in New England featuring Ukrainian musicians, and we shall try to help publicize these.

Reader Comment:

I did read your latest edition of The Hanson Gazette, sometime early morning on the 2nd of April. Once again, very informative and beautifully written. I do like the related links that you have had interspersed throughout certain editions, and I would recommend continuing to include them for additional insights on news, culture and history.

I hope that my text finds you, your family, and all of those around you well

 

Kate Oneil