Hungarian opposition party to join European Parliament's centre-right bloc

FILE PHOTO: Peter Magyar, former government insider and leader of the Respect and Freedom (TISZA) Party, holds a Hungary flag as he speaks after the announcement of the partial results of the European Parliament and municipal elections, in Budapest, Hungary, June 10, 2024. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungarian opposition party Tisza will join the centre-right European People's Party bloc in the European Parliament, the party's leader Peter Magyar said on Tuesday.

The political newcomer has emerged as a new threat to Prime Minister Viktor Orban's iron grip on power with his promises to tackle state corruption and restore democratic checks and balances he says have been eroded during Orban's 14-year rule.