Péter Magyar, the political figure who ended Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule, has pressed for an urgent transfer of power during a pivotal meeting with Hungary's president just days after his party's decisive election victory.
Magyar met President Tamás Sulyok at the presidential palace, telling journalists afterward that he wants the new National Assembly to convene on May 4—the same day official election results are expected. Sulyok responded on social media that he would call parliament "at the earliest possible date after the final result is announced."
While Sulyok didn't directly address Magyar's demand for his resignation, the prime minister-elect indicated the president said he would consider stepping down. Sulyok confirmed he would "officially propose" Magyar for prime minister at the first parliamentary session, which Magyar expects to occur around May 6 or 7, though he prefers an earlier date.
Magyar, 45, has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the current president, stating: "He is unworthy of representing the unity of the Hungarian nation" and adding that Sulyok "is not fit to serve as a moral authority or a role model."
The meeting occurred against a backdrop of dramatic political shifts. Magyar, who broke from Orbán's Fidesz party in March 2024, built his Tisza party into a formidable force that secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority—a so-called super-majority—ending Fidesz's long dominance.
In a significant development, Magyar appeared on state media for the first time in 18 months on Wednesday, delivering combative interviews on both Kossuth radio and M1 TV. He announced plans to suspend current news coverage and establish a new broadcast authority to ensure press freedom.
"Every Hungarian deserves a public service media that broadcasts the truth," he declared during his radio appearance, emphasizing that his motivation wasn't personal revenge despite what he described as constant insults directed at him and his family.
During these interviews, Magyar clashed with hosts, accusing their outlets of spreading propaganda and asking what he called absurd questions—including whether he had communicated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Orbán's campaign had heavily focused on portraying Magyar as a puppet of both Zelensky and the European Union.
Magyar is moving quickly to reverse Orbán-era policies that transformed Hungary into what the European Parliament labeled an "electoral autocracy." He has spoken passionately about addressing corruption and cronyism scandals that angered many Hungarians, accusing his predecessor's administration of "robbing his country bare."
Economic pressures add urgency to the transition. Billions in EU funds remain frozen over rule-of-law concerns, prompting Magyar to speak with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday about unlocking approximately €17 billion. Von der Leyen emphasized the need for "swift work to be done to... restore the rule of law. Realign with our shared European values."
In an ironic twist, Orbán is expected to remain as caretaker prime minister during an upcoming EU summit in Cyprus on April 23-24. EU leaders are particularly concerned about Hungary's veto on €90 billion in aid to Ukraine, imposed by Orbán in the weeks before the election.
Magyar has indicated he doesn't consider the veto relevant since Hungary was among three countries that opted out of the Ukraine loan package last December. However, the mechanism for lifting the veto remains unclear, as does Orbán's potential involvement in the process.
Since his defeat, Orbán has maintained relative silence, posting only a brief Facebook message stating: "The work begins. Let's reorganise ourselves and keep fighting for the Hungarian people!"
International reactions have been mixed. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who actively campaigned for Orbán, offered unexpected praise for the incoming leader, telling ABC News: "I think the new man's going to do a good job." Trump had previously urged Hungarians to vote for his "friend and close ally" Orbán.