Shots Fired at a Fidesz Activist in Szentendre. Hungarian Against Hungarian. The Flood of Hatred Has Reached an Unprecedented Level.
Four years ago, the Russian–Ukrainian war broke out. For peace-loving people and for us Hungarians, since the beginning of the war it has been incomprehensible what rational arguments could justify white, Christian people in the heart of Europe taking up arms against one another and killing each other by the hundreds of thousands in a world where Europeans should instead be joining hands and standing together. Otherwise we are only one or two generations away from Europe becoming a kind of open-air museum — a skansen — that resembles today’s Middle East far more than the cradle of Western culture. Yet Russians and Ukrainians are still killing each other — and have been doing so for four years…
Worse than a war between brother nations is when people within the same country take up arms against one another. Every form of this is terrible, but it is especially distressing when it has political causes. And that is what happened today in Szentendre. A Fidesz activist was going door to door, as we do in every campaign — just as activists from Tisza, DK, or Mi Hazánk also do when they approach voters with their own messages. In a democracy, this is how campaigning normally works.
What is absolutely not acceptable, however — and is incredibly serious — is when an activist is threatened with a weapon, and even shot at. Campaigns in Hungary have always been tough and heated, but what is happening this year goes beyond all previous levels. With the emergence of Péter Magyar and Tisza, incitement and the turning of people against one another are now leading to physical assaults on a weekly basis. Today it was a gas pistol that was fired, and thank God no life was lost.
But one thing must always be made clear when a Hungarian turns against another Hungarian: whoever does such a thing must answer before the law for their actions. And we must also not forget what — and who — can push someone to the point where they shoot at another person simply because that person sees the world differently. The one responsible for this is Péter Magyar. And although this responsibility is not criminal but political, he too will have to answer for what he has done to the souls of Hungarian people over the past two years — no later than April 12. And the verdict will be delivered by Hungarian voters.
But until then, there are still 36 days left. Thirty-six tough days. And we are not made of the kind of wood that runs away. We will not stop or turn back even if Tisza supporters threaten us with fists, knives, or weapons. Not even if criminals are sent to cause trouble at our forums, and not even when thousands of faceless online profiles threaten us day and night.
We will not give in to either Ukrainian or Tisza blackmail and threats. We cannot be threatened or intimidated — not by Zelensky, and not by Péter Magyar and his soldiers.
In thirty-six days the flood of hatred will come to an end. And those who placed this anger into the hearts of Hungarians will have to take responsibility for it.
🎭 Communication and Propaganda Techniques in the Text
1️⃣ Building a Victim Narrative
Excerpt
“Shots were fired at a Fidesz activist… Hungarian against Hungarian.”
Technique
It presents the political community as the victim of an attack.
Goal
- to evoke sympathy
- to create a sense of moral superiority
- to mobilize the political base
Effect
Supporters may feel that “our community has been attacked,” which strengthens political loyalty.
2️⃣ Placing the Event in a Grand Historical Framework
Excerpt
“The Russian–Ukrainian war broke out four years ago…”
Technique
Linking a local incident to a global war.
Goal
To magnify the perceived importance of the event.
Communication logic
small event → part of a large historical conflict
Effect
The reader may feel that a historic struggle is taking place, not just a campaign incident.
3️⃣ Civilizational Fear Appeal
Excerpt
“Europe could become a kind of open-air museum… resembling the Middle East.”
Technique
A vision of civilizational decline or collapse.
Goal
- activating cultural fears
- identity-based mobilization
Effect
The reader may feel that the future of Europe is at stake.
4️⃣ Shifting Political Responsibility to a Single Person
Excerpt
“Péter Magyar is responsible for this.”
Technique
Scapegoating.
Goal
To connect a complex social phenomenon to one political figure.
Effect
The conflict becomes simplified:
➡️ “there is one responsible person.”
5️⃣ Portraying the Political Opponent as Violent
Excerpt
“threatening us with fists, box cutters, and weapons”
Technique
Demonization of the opponent.
Goal
To morally delegitimize the opposition.
Effect
In the voter’s mind, the image may form that:
➡️ “they are dangerous.”
6️⃣ Siege Narrative
Excerpt
“Ukrainian and Tisza blackmail and threats”
Technique
Combining external and internal enemies.
Narrative
➡️ external enemy: Ukraine
➡️ internal enemy: the opposition
Effect
The country appears to be “under siege.”
This is a classic mobilization framework in political propaganda.
7️⃣ Campaign Mobilization
Excerpt
“In 36 days… the voters will deliver the verdict.”
Technique
A dramatic countdown.
Goal
- electoral mobilization
- maintaining political momentum
Effect
The election is framed as a decisive battle.
⚠️ Communication Problem
With messages like this, a common phenomenon may appear:
the credibility risk of excessive dramatization.
If part of the audience feels that the message contains:
- exaggeration
- manipulation
- political exploitation
then the message can backfire.
This phenomenon is known in communication studies as:
“propaganda fatigue”
or
“credibility erosion”
when a portion of the audience loses trust in the message.
📊 The Simplified Narrative of the Text
The entire communication builds a very simple framework:
danger → enemy → choice
➡️ violence occurs
➡️ the opposition is responsible
➡️ the solution: support the government
Summary
The text uses a classic campaign communication structure:
- victim narrative
- fear appeal
- civilizational framing
- scapegoating
- siege narrative
- electoral mobilization
The primary goal is not the detailed investigation of events, but rather placing the incident into a political narrative.