Magyar meets Hungarian president as Trump says next PM ‘a good man’
Magyar Meets Hungarian President Amid Political Shift
Péter Magyar, the political figure who unseated Viktor Orbán after 16 years of leadership, is in talks with Hungary’s president, Tamás Sulyok, aiming to expedite his assumption of power following Sunday’s decisive electoral win. Sulyok, who has so far resisted Magyar’s call to resign, is anticipated to propose him as the next prime minister. Magyar has emphasized the need to take office by early May, marking his first public appearances on state radio and TV in nearly 18 months on Wednesday. During these broadcasts, he announced his plan to halt the media’s coverage, which he has criticized as propaganda.
Trump’s Endorsement and Magyar’s Strategy
US President Donald Trump praised Magyar as a “good man” during an interview with ABC News, despite the latter’s earlier campaign efforts to support Orbán. “I think the new man’s going to do a good job,” Trump remarked, urging Hungarians to vote for Orbán, his longtime ally. Magyar’s strategy includes a crackdown on media influence, claiming that 70-80% of the country’s outlets are controlled by Orbán’s allies. He accused them of spreading 300 daily falsehoods and blocking his party from appearing on state television.
“Every Hungary deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth,” Magyar stated during a Kossuth radio interview, clarifying that his focus is not on personal retaliation but on restoring factual reporting. He described how his family had been subjected to relentless criticism throughout the day.
Reversing Orbán’s Policies
Magyar is determined to dismantle Orbán’s governance model, which the European Parliament labeled an “electoral autocracy.” His rise has been fueled by widespread public discontent over corruption scandals and the erosion of democratic norms under Orbán’s rule. The new administration has also targeted EU funding, which was frozen due to rule-of-law concerns. Magyar recently met with Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, to secure the release of €17bn in suspended funds. Additionally, Hungary awaits approval for €16bn in defense loans, further complicating the economic landscape.
Orbán’s Quiet Transition
Though Orbán is expected to remain in a caretaker role during an EU summit in Cyprus on 23-34 April, his influence on policy remains significant. EU leaders have pressed Hungary to reverse Orbán’s veto on €90bn in Ukraine aid, a move that sparked controversy before the election. Magyar dismissed the veto as irrelevant, noting that Hungary was one of three nations to reject the loan in December. However, the path to lifting the veto remains uncertain, with questions about Orbán’s continued involvement.
Following his electoral setback, Orbán has been largely silent, posting a Facebook message to signal his intent to rebuild his party: “The work begins. Let’s reorganise ourselves and keep fighting for the Hungarian people!” His words hint at a resilient political strategy, even as Magyar seeks to reshape the country’s direction.
