Hungarian Magyars push for quick transfer of power, urge president to step down after winning election

Worth News Europe Bureau Chief Stephen J. By Bose, reporting from Budapest, Hungary

Budapest (meaningful news) – Hungary’s election winner Peter Magyar insisted on a swift transfer of power after his landslide victory, urging President Tamas Suliok to step down after talks at the presidential palace.

Magyar said he wants the new National Assembly to have its first meeting on May 4, when all official election results are expected, with a new government formed within days.

Suliok said he would convene parliament “as soon as possible” after the final results were announced and confirmed and that he would formally propose Magyar as prime minister.

The 45-year-old leader, whose center-right Tisza party holds a two-thirds parliamentary majority, said the president is “not worthy of representing the unity of the Hungarian nation” and should resign after the new government takes office.

Consideration of removing the President

Magyar warned that if Süleok refused to step down, parliament could remove him as part of broader institutional reforms following the end of Viktor Orbán’s 16 years in power.

He met Suleok at the presidential palace, while Orban—whose Fidesz party was ousted from power—later entered through a side entrance, avoiding journalists.

Magyar suggested that his victory was notable, saying that Orbán’s allies control 80 percent of Hungary’s media and spread “hundreds of lies” every day about him and his party.

In a rare appearance on state media, he promised to suspend current news operations and establish a new public broadcasting authority to ensure freedom of the press.

Press freedom concerns

However, his plans are expected to be closely watched by press freedom advocates who have previously accused Orbán of taking similar steps.

Magyar denied this, saying, “Every Hungarian is entitled to public service media that broadcasts the truth.” He denied that he had sought personal revenge despite the attacks on him and his family.

Magyar dismissed media questions about whether he was coordinating with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He described such suggestions as politically motivated, while also indicating that he would not block an EU loan of 90 billion euros (about $106 billion) to Ukraine, although Hungary cannot participate directly.

Magyar is also seeking to restore relations with the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, after years of tension under Orbán that left billions of funds frozen over rule-of-law concerns.

Economic challenges ahead

He has already held talks with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to unlock 35 billion euros (about $41 billion) of funding that has been suspended or withheld due to rule-of-law concerns, though Brussels has insisted reforms are needed.

Hungary’s economy has been struggling in recent years, adding urgency to the talks with European officials expected to visit Budapest as early as Friday.

While celebrations took place at EU headquarters, Magyar’s victory was celebrated by US President Donald J. It was also a blow to Trump, who had supported Orbán during the election campaign.

Trump sent Vice President J.D. Vance and former Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Budapest in support of Orbán. However, after those efforts failed to influence voters, Trump praised Magyar, saying “the new guy will do well,” signaling a change after previously supporting Orbán.

maintain close relationships

The Magyars have made clear that while they want good relations with Washington and other governments, it will be up to Hungarians to write their own history.

He has promised sweeping reforms to Hungary’s political and media systems, aiming to reverse what the European Parliament previously described as “electoral autocracy”.

The incoming leader said his government could take power by mid-May, marking a rapid political transition after one of Hungary’s most decisive election results since the end of communism.

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