Magyar meets Hungarian president as Trump says next PM ‘a good man’

Magyar Meets Hungarian President as Trump Commends New Prime Minister

Péter Magyar, the individual who ousted Viktor Orbán from power after a 16-year tenure, is engaging with Hungary’s president in an effort to accelerate the transfer of authority. This follows a decisive election win on Sunday, which granted Magyar’s Tisza party a commanding majority. President Tamás Sulyok, who has so far refused to relinquish power, is expected to designate Magyar as the next prime minister. Magyar has emphasized the urgency of assuming office by early May, aiming to restore democratic principles in the country.

Magyar’s first public appearances in 18 months occurred on Wednesday, during which he addressed state-run Kossuth radio and M1 TV. In these broadcasts, he declared his intent to halt the news coverage of the media outlets, which he has criticized as propagating falsehoods. “Every Hungary deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth,” he stated, adding that his family had endured relentless insults throughout the campaign. The interviews were marked by sharp exchanges, as he accused the media of persistently airing propaganda.

“I think the new man’s going to do a good job,” said U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl. Trump had earlier advocated for Hungarians to vote for Viktor Orbán, his close ally.

Magyar arrived at the presidential palace just before 10:00 AM local time, accompanied by other opposition leaders. Viktor Orbán, who remains in the political spotlight, was among those invited to the meeting. Magyar had previously split from Orbán’s Fidesz party in March 2024, rallying diverse public support to challenge the ruling coalition. His party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority, dismantling Orbán’s grip on power in a dramatic shift.

Magyar alleged that Orbán’s allies had monopolized 70-80% of Hungary’s media, using it to spread 300 daily lies. This control reportedly denied his party any state television exposure. However, on Wednesday, the media outlets began broadcasting Magyar’s message, signaling a reversal of their previous stance. The change came after a half-hour segment on Kossuth radio and a TV appearance, where Magyar confirmed his plan to establish an independent broadcast authority.

With the aim of reversing Orbán’s policies, Magyar is now focused on reclaiming democratic governance. The European Parliament had previously labeled Hungary an “electoral autocracy,” a claim Magyar attributes to years of corruption and cronyism. He recently met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to address frozen EU funds, which had been withheld due to rule of law concerns. An estimated €17bn has been suspended, while an additional €16bn in defense loans awaits approval.

In a surprising turn, Orbán is anticipated to retain the role of caretaker prime minister during the EU’s informal summit in Cyprus from 23 to 34 April. EU leaders are intensifying pressure on Hungary to lift Orbán’s veto on €90bn in Ukraine aid, imposed in the weeks leading to the election. Magyar downplayed the significance of the veto, noting Hungary had opted out of the loan alongside two other countries in December. Yet, the mechanism for its removal and Orbán’s potential involvement remain unclear.

Orbán has largely stayed silent since his electoral defeat, though he recently posted on Facebook to signal his intent to rebuild his political base. “The work begins. Let’s reorganize ourselves and keep fighting for the Hungarian people!” he wrote, hinting at a future resurgence for his party.