Magyar Meets Hungarian President as Trump Praises New Leader
Péter Magyar, the political figure who ended Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure, is holding talks with Hungary’s president, Tamás Sulyok, to expedite the transition of power following Sunday’s decisive election win. Despite Sulyok’s refusal to resign, the president is anticipated to propose Magyar as the next prime minister. Magyar’s Tisza party claimed a two-thirds parliamentary majority, toppling the ruling Fidesz and positioning him as a potential successor.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed support for Magyar, calling him a “good man” during a recent interview with ABC News. Trump had earlier endorsed Orbán, urging Hungarians to vote for him, but now highlights Magyar’s readiness to lead. “I think the new man’s going to do a good job,” he remarked, underscoring his confidence in the opposition’s ability to reshape the nation’s direction.
Magyar’s visit to the presidential palace occurred shortly before 10:00 local time, with other party leaders also invited to the meeting. These include Orbán, whose absence from public life has been notable since his electoral loss. Magyar’s defection from Fidesz in March 2024 marked the beginning of a campaign that garnered broad public backing, culminating in the landslide victory that ended Orbán’s dominance.
During a rare appearance on state media, Magyar criticized the press for being under Orbán’s control, accusing his allies of monopolizing 70-80% of the media and spreading 300 daily falsehoods. He also claimed that his party was denied even a single TV slot for months. However, on Wednesday, the state-run Kossuth radio and M1 TV aired his interviews, signaling a shift in strategy as he announced plans to restrict news coverage and establish a new media body to safeguard press freedom.
“Every Hungary deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth,” Magyar stated on Kossuth radio, clarifying that his actions were driven by a desire to restore factual reporting, not personal vendettas. He emphasized that his family had faced relentless criticism from the outlets for 18 months.
Magyar aims to dismantle Orbán’s policies, which have transformed Hungary into an “electoral autocracy” according to the European Parliament. Public frustration has mounted over corruption scandals and the suspension of billions in EU funding due to rule-of-law concerns. During a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he sought to revive these funds, stressing the urgency of restoring democratic principles and aligning with European values.
Hungary is also awaiting approval for an additional €16bn in defense loans, alongside the €17bn already withheld. Despite these financial pressures, Orbán is expected to remain as interim prime minister during an EU summit in Cyprus from 23 to 34 April. The summit comes amid calls from EU leaders to overturn Orbán’s veto on €90bn in Ukraine aid, which he imposed weeks before the election. Magyar dismisses the veto as inconsequential, noting Hungary was among three nations that opted out of the loan in December.
Orbán, who has remained largely silent since his defeat, shared a message on Facebook to rally his supporters. “The work begins. Let’s reorganize ourselves and keep fighting for the Hungarian people!” he wrote, hinting at a renewed effort to rebuild his political base. The future of the veto’s removal and Orbán’s role in the process remains uncertain, with tensions lingering between the old and new leadership.
