In a resounding display of opposition against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, political newcomer Peter Magyar rallied tens of thousands of supporters in Budapest on Saturday. Magyar, a former member of Orbán's ruling Fidesz party, has gained prominence in recent weeks for his allegations of widespread corruption and cronyism within Hungary's leadership.

The demonstration, which marks the latest in a series of protests against Orbán's right-wing nationalist government, saw Magyar addressing a massive crowd gathered near the parliament building in Budapest. He announced the creation of a new political community aimed at uniting conservative and liberal Hungarians, who are disillusioned by Orbán's governance and the fragmented political opposition.

Magyar passionately declared, "Step by step, brick by brick, we are taking back our homeland and building a new country, a sovereign, modern, European Hungary." He emphasized that the protest represented the largest political demonstration in years, highlighting the groundswell of support behind his vision for change.

The 43-year-old Magyar, once a member of Orbán's political inner circle and the ex-husband of former justice minister Judit Varga, broke ranks in February following a political scandal that led to the resignation of his ex-wife and the president. Through frequent media appearances, Magyar has exposed what he perceives as the corrupt influence of a privileged group of oligarchs and anti-democratic elites in Hungarian politics.

Describing the current government as a "mafia," Magyar has urged for a moral, political, and economic transformation of the country. He seeks to rein in corruption and create a more inclusive and pluralistic political system. Magyar noted that for over two decades, the Hungarian people have been pitted against each other by the country's elected leaders, preventing a united front in addressing national issues.

While the Hungarian government dismissed Magyar as an opportunist seeking personal gain following his divorce from Varga and the loss of his positions in several state companies, his rapid rise within the political landscape has become a headache for Orbán. The prime minister has already faced resignations from members of his government and is grappling with an ongoing economic crisis.

Last month, Magyar released an audio recording of a conversation with his ex-wife, Judit Varga, in which he claimed that top officials conspired to manipulate court records to cover up their involvement in a corruption case. He has called for the resignation of Orbán's government and the restoration of fair elections.

Critics of Orbán within Hungary and the European Union have long accused him of eroding democratic institutions, exerting control over the media, and manipulating the election system to benefit his party. The EU has consequently withheld billions in funding to Budapest due to concerns over democratic backsliding, misuse of EU funds, and inadequate protection of minority rights.

One demonstrator, Zoltan Koszler, emphasized the need for a complete change in the system, stating, "I want to live in a normal rule-of-law state where the principles of the rule of law are really adhered to, not only on paper but in reality."

Peter Magyar has pledged to establish a new political party that will contest the upcoming EU and municipal elections this summer, further challenging Orbán's grip on power.