Magyar to meet Hungarian president as Trump says next PM ‘a good man’
Magyar to meet Hungarian president as Trump says next PM ‘a good man’
Péter Magyar, the political figure who unseated Viktor Orbán after 16 years of rule, is preparing to meet Hungary’s president to secure a swift transfer of leadership 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 mid-May, having recently appeared on public radio and TV for the first time in 18 months, where he outlined his plan to halt media coverage he views as biased.
US President Donald Trump, during an interview with ABC News, endorsed Magyar as a “good man,” highlighting his support for Orbán during the campaign. “I think the new man’s going to do a good job,” Trump remarked, recalling his earlier encouragement for Hungarians to vote for Orbán. The outgoing prime minister was also invited to the meeting, marking a symbolic moment in the transition.
Magyar’s Political Challenge
Magyar’s Tisza party, which rose to prominence after breaking away from Orbán’s Fidesz in March 2024, capitalized on public discontent to defeat the ruling coalition. The party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority, signaling a significant shift in Hungary’s political landscape. Magyar accused Orbán allies of dominating 70-80% of the media, with daily propaganda attacks against his administration.
On Wednesday, Magyar’s strategy took a new turn as he appeared on state-run Kossuth radio and M1 TV, confirming his intent to suspend news coverage and establish a new media authority. “Every Hungary deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth,” he stated, emphasizing his focus on press freedom over personal vendettas. The interviews, at times tense, saw him confront journalists about their perceived bias.
EU Funding and Orbán’s Resilience
Magyar has prioritized restoring EU support, which was suspended due to concerns over the rule of law. During talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he sought to unlock frozen billions in funding. Hungary is also awaiting €16bn in defense loans, with the European Parliament previously labeling the country an “electoral autocracy” under Orbán’s governance.
Despite his electoral defeat, Orbán is expected to remain as caretaker prime minister during the EU summit in Cyprus from 23-34 April. The summit will address a veto he imposed on €90bn in Ukrainian aid, a move EU leaders are pushing to reverse. Magyar dismissed the veto’s relevance, noting Hungary was one of three nations that opted out of the loan in December. However, the process to lift the veto remains unclear, with Orbán’s involvement uncertain.
Since the election, Orbán has remained largely silent, posting a message on Facebook to signal his plans for rebuilding his party: “The work begins. Let’s reorganise ourselves and keep fighting for the Hungarian people!”
