Magyar Engages with Hungarian President Amid Political Shift
Péter Magyar, the figure who ousted Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power, is meeting Hungary’s president to accelerate the transfer of authority following a dominant electoral win on Sunday. President Tamás Sulyok, who has resisted Magyar’s call to resign, is anticipated to propose him as the next prime minister. Magyar has insisted on assuming office by early May, marking his first public appearances on state radio and television in 18 months on Wednesday, where he outlined his goal to halt news broadcasts he deems propaganda.
Magyar’s Media Criticism and Propaganda Claims
Magyar accused Orbán’s allies of controlling 70-80% of the media, spreading 300 daily falsehoods, and denying his party visibility on state television. This changed on Wednesday, beginning with a half-hour slot on Kossuth radio and followed by a segment on M1 TV. In these appearances, he reaffirmed his plan to suspend coverage and establish a new broadcasting authority. “Every Hungarian deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth,” he stated on Kossuth radio, emphasizing his motive was to restore factual reporting, not personal vendetta.
“I think the new man’s going to do a good job,” Donald Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, despite previously urging Hungarians to vote for Orbán. The U.S. president called Magyar a “good man” after his role in supporting Orbán’s campaign.
EU Funding and Orbán’s Resilience
Hungary’s economy has struggled for years, and Magyar discussed EU funding freezes with Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president. Billions in aid were halted over concerns about rule of law, with Magyar aiming to revive the funds. An estimated €17bn has been suspended, while an additional €16bn in defense loans awaits approval. Meanwhile, Orbán remains a caretaker prime minister, having secured his position despite the election outcome. He has remained quiet, save for a Facebook post: “The work begins. Let’s reorganise ourselves and keep fighting for the Hungarian people!”
Uncertainty Over Veto and Transition
EU leaders are pressuring Hungary to lift Orbán’s veto on €90bn in Ukraine aid, imposed weeks before the election. Magyar dismissed the veto as irrelevant, noting Hungary was among three nations that opted out last December. However, the method of removing the block and Orbán’s involvement remain unclear. His party, Fidesz, was defeated by Magyar’s Tisza movement, which gained a two-thirds parliamentary majority through widespread public backing.
