Magyar to meet Hungarian president as Trump says next PM ‘a good man’
Péter Magyar Set to Meet Hungary’s President Amid Political Shift
Péter Magyar, the leader who unseated Viktor Orbán after 16 years of rule, is set to meet Hungary’s president to secure a swift transfer of power following Sunday’s decisive electoral win. President Tamás Sulyok, who has resisted Magyar’s call to resign, is anticipated to appoint him as the next prime minister. Magyar aims to assume office by early May, emphasizing his urgency to implement reforms.
Magyar’s Tisza party emerged victorious, displacing the ruling Fidesz with a two-thirds parliamentary majority. The outgoing prime minister, now in dialogue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighted his goal to restore the rule of law and unlock frozen EU funds. An estimated €17 billion has been withheld, while additional €16 billion in defense loans awaits approval.
“Every Hungary deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth,”
Magyar stated during a state radio interview. He criticized the media for persistently disseminating propaganda, claiming that 70-80% of outlets were controlled by Orbán allies. The former PM alleged his party faced 300 daily falsehoods and was denied TV appearances for 18 months.
Magyar’s political shift began in March 2024 when he left Orbán’s party. His campaign attracted broad public backing, culminating in a sweeping victory. During Wednesday’s televised address, he announced plans to suspend state media coverage and establish a new regulatory body to safeguard press freedom. The interviews were marked by sharp rhetoric, with Magyar accusing hosts of bias.
US President Donald Trump commended Magyar as a “good man,” noting his role in supporting Orbán’s re-election bid. “I think the new man’s going to do a good job,” Trump said to ABC News, despite previously urging Hungarians to vote for Orbán. Magyar, meanwhile, welcomed the president’s invitation to the meeting, signaling a potential shift in public perception.
EU Veto and Political Reckoning
Amid the transition, Orbán remains a caretaker prime minister until the EU leaders’ informal summit in Cyprus. The bloc is pressing Hungary to reverse his veto on €90 billion in Ukraine aid, which sparked controversy before the election. Magyar dismissed the veto as irrelevant, citing Hungary’s earlier opt-out alongside two other nations.
Orbán, who has faced significant public backlash over corruption scandals, has stayed largely silent since his defeat. In a recent Facebook post, he declared: “The work begins. Let’s reorganise ourselves and keep fighting for the Hungarian people!” His party seeks to regroup, even as Magyar moves to reshape the media landscape and restore democratic governance.
