Hungary’s incoming prime minister Peter Magyar has pledged to usher in “a new era” for the country following his election victory, ending 16 years of governance under nationalist leader Viktor Orbán. Speaking at a press conference in Budapest, Magyar said voters had not supported merely a change of government but a broader political transformation.
Call for a new political direction
Magyar said the Hungarian public had voted for “a complete regime change” rather than a simple shift in government.
During the press conference, he called on President Tamás Sulyok, who is considered close to Viktor Orbán, to convene the newly elected parliament as soon as possible, ideally at the beginning of May.
“There is no time to lose,” he said, referring to the need to begin the transition following the parliamentary elections.
Election results and parliamentary balance
According to Magyar, the final results of the election are expected to be confirmed by 4 May at the latest.
Additional votes from Hungarians living abroad could further increase the number of parliamentary seats won by his Tisza party, he added.
Magyar also said that under a government led by Tisza, the prime minister would not act as a dominant figure.
“The prime minister will not be a ‘sun king’ as under Viktor Orbán, but the leader of a team who coordinates and takes into account the views and proposals of ministers, while respecting members of parliament and the Hungarian people,” he said.
Reactions from Russia and China
The pro-European conservative politician also thanked Russia and China, which maintained close relations with Orbán’s outgoing government, for acknowledging the election result.
“I note that the Kremlin expressed its position, as did Beijing. I thank them for respectfully accepting the decision of the Hungarian people and for being open to realistic cooperation,” Magyar said.
Position on Ukraine
Regarding Ukraine, Magyar said he supports the €90 billion agreement reached in December to support Kyiv.
The arrangement includes an exemption clause allowing Hungary, along with the Czech Republic and Slovakia, not to contribute financially.
He said Hungary should retain that exemption due to the country’s difficult economic situation and stressed the importance of restarting the flow of European Union funds.
Those funds, he said, “belong to us and have been received by all other member states except Hungary.”
Because Hungary has not received them, he argued, the country has been unable to use them to strengthen its economy and therefore cannot take on additional borrowing.
Magyar added that the agreement should not be reopened but implemented as it was agreed in December.
EU membership prospects for Ukraine
Magyar also addressed the issue of Ukraine’s potential accession to the European Union.
He said he does not support a fast-track membership process for Kyiv.
“It would be impossible to admit into the EU a country that is currently at war,” he said.
“All candidate countries must go through the same process,” he added.
Sources: AFP, Reuters, The Guardian