Magyar to meet Hungarian president as Trump says next PM ‘a good man’
Magyar to Meet Hungarian President as Trump Praises New PM
Political Shift After Landslide Election
Péter Magyar, the leader who unseated Viktor Orbán after 16 years of rule, is scheduled to meet Hungary’s president to expedite his assumption of power. President Tamás Sulyok, who has resisted Magyar’s request to resign, is anticipated to announce him as the next prime minister. Magyar emphasized the need for a swift transition, aiming to take office by mid-May.
Magyar’s Tisza party secured a resounding victory in Sunday’s election, defeating the ruling Fidesz with a two-thirds parliamentary majority. This marked a dramatic turn, as his movement gained broad public backing over two years, culminating in Orbán’s defeat. However, Magyar criticized the media, accusing Orbán allies of controlling 70-80% of outlets and spreading 300 daily lies against his party. He noted that his family had been targeted relentlessly in news coverage, with no state TV appearances allowed.
“Every Hungary deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth,” Magyar told Kossuth radio. He added that his goal was not personal vengeance, but to ensure press freedom through a new broadcast authority.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump commended Magyar, calling him a “good man” who had supported Orbán’s campaign. “I think the new man’s going to do a good job,” Trump said to ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, referencing his earlier encouragement for Hungarians to vote for Orbán. Magyar, though, remains focused on dismantling policies he blames for transforming Hungary into an “electoral autocracy” as labeled by the European Parliament.
EU Funding and Policy Reversals
Magyar has been striving to reverse Orbán’s economic and political strategies, which have led to EU funding freezes over rule of law concerns. He recently spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to address the €17bn suspension and unlock additional funds. Hungary also awaits €16bn in defense loans, which could be approved if reforms are implemented.
Despite his party’s electoral triumph, Orbán is set to remain as caretaker prime minister during an EU summit in Cyprus. The summit comes amid pressure on Hungary to lift a veto on €90bn in Ukraine aid, which Orbán imposed weeks before the election. Magyar dismissed the veto as inconsequential, noting Hungary was one of three nations that opted out of the loan in December.
Orbán’s Response and Political Future
Following his defeat, Orbán has remained relatively silent, with only a brief Facebook post signaling his intent to rebuild his party. “The work begins. Let’s reorganise ourselves and keep fighting for the Hungarian people!” he wrote, hinting at a comeback strategy. Meanwhile, Magyar’s upcoming media confrontations, including a half-hour Kossuth radio segment and an M1 TV appearance, have intensified his call to suspend state news coverage and replace it with a more independent system.
