Magyar meets Hungarian president as Trump says next PM ‘a good man’
Magyar Confronts Hungarian President Amid Trump’s Praise for New Leader
Péter Magyar, the figure who concluded Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure, is set to meet the Hungarian president in an attempt to expedite the transition of power following Sunday’s decisive electoral win. President Tamás Sulyok, who has resisted Magyar’s call for resignation, is anticipated to name him as the next prime minister.
Magyar’s Media Campaign and Trump’s Support
Magyar’s initial public appearance on state radio and television in nearly 18 months occurred on Wednesday, during which he declared his plan to halt their news broadcasts, which he criticized as propaganda. The former Fidesz opponent, who had previously denounced the media as a tool of Orbán allies, now faced a shift after appearing on state-run Kossuth radio and M1 TV. In these appearances, he affirmed his goal to suspend their news programming and establish a new media authority to safeguard press freedom.
“Every Hungary deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth,” he told Kossuth radio, explaining he was not seeking personal revenge, despite his family being insulted “morning, noon and night.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in Magyar’s leadership, having once endorsed Orbán. “I think the new man’s going to do a good job,” Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, recalling his earlier urging for Hungarians to “get out and vote” for his friend and close ally, Orbán.
Political Shift and EU Funding Concerns
Magyar arrived at the presidential palace shortly before 10:00 AM (08:00 GMT) for the discussions. Other party leaders with parliamentary seats were also invited to the session with President Sulyok, including Orbán himself. After splitting from Orbán’s party in March 2024, Magyar cultivated broad public backing over two years, leading his Tisza party to oust Fidesz from power on Sunday with a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
He claimed that 70-80% of Hungary’s media had been controlled by Orbán’s allies, who daily disseminated 300 lies and insulted his party, denying them even a single state TV appearance.
Reversing Orbán’s Policies and EU Tensions
Magyar aims to reverse years of Orbán’s governance that transformed Hungary into an “electoral autocracy” according to the European Parliament. Public discontent grew over repeated corruption and cronyism scandals, with Magyar describing his predecessor’s administration as having stripped the country bare.
Billions in EU funds were frozen due to rule of law concerns and other issues. Magyar engaged with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday to secure the release of the money. A total of €17bn (£14.8bn) has been withheld, while an additional €16bn in defense loans is pending approval.
Orbán’s Likely Role in Caretaker Capacity
In an unexpected turn, Orbán is likely to remain as caretaker prime minister during the EU’s informal summit in Cyprus on 23-24 April. EU leaders are pressing Hungary to rescind the veto Orbán imposed on €90bn in Ukrainian aid in the weeks before the election. Magyar has stated the veto holds little significance, as Hungary was among three nations that rejected the loan in December.
Orbán, who has remained largely silent since his overwhelming electoral loss, shared a message on Facebook expressing his intent to revitalize his party: “The work begins. Let’s reorganize and continue fighting for the Hungarian people!”
