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

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

Following a decisive electoral win on Sunday, Péter Magyar, who ousted Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power, is preparing to meet Hungary’s president in a bid to expedite his assumption of office. President Tamás Sulyok, who has resisted Magyar’s calls to resign, is anticipated to propose him as the new prime minister. Magyar, however, emphasized his urgency to take charge by mid-May, marking his first public appearances on state radio and television in 18 months.

Magyar’s Tisza party dismantled the ruling Fidesz in a sweeping victory, securing two-thirds of parliamentary seats. The former prime minister accused Orbán’s allies of seizing control of 70-80% of Hungary’s media, which he claimed had spread 300 daily falsehoods against his campaign. He also noted that his party had been denied even a single state TV slot during the election season.

“Every Hungary deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth,” Magyar stated on Kossuth radio, clarifying that his push to halt state news coverage was not personal vengeance but a commitment to press freedom. During his interviews, he criticized outlets for airing propaganda, asserting their bias against his movement.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Magyar as a “good man,” despite the Hungarian leader’s earlier support for Orbán. “I think the new man’s going to do a good job,” Trump remarked to ABC News, having urged Hungarians to vote for Orbán in prior remarks. Magyar was also invited to the meeting, signaling potential cooperation between the outgoing and incoming leaders.

Magyar’s campaign has targeted Orbán’s policies, which critics label as creating an “electoral autocracy.” Public outrage grew over corruption scandals and the freezing of billions in EU funds due to legal concerns. He engaged with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to revive the disbursement, stressing the need for legal reforms and alignment with European values. A total of €17bn in suspended funds and €16bn in defense loans remain pending.

In an unexpected development, Orbán is set to serve as interim prime minister during an EU summit in Cyprus, despite losing the election. The summit comes amid pressure to reverse his veto on €90bn in Ukrainian aid. Magyar dismissed the veto’s significance, noting Hungary was one of three nations that withheld support in December. The outcome of this political standoff remains uncertain, with Orbán’s involvement in the process unclear.

Orbán, who has remained largely silent since his defeat, posted on Facebook: “The work begins. Let’s reorganize ourselves and keep fighting for the Hungarian people!” His message hints at a strategy to rebuild his political base, even as Magyar seeks to reshape the nation’s governance.