A phase of political transition is now rapidly entering after his victory in the elections, with the new leader confirming that the procedures for the formation of the new government by mid-May are already underway.
Magyar held talks with the country’s president, Tamas Suliok, who is considered a political ally of outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban. During the meeting, the winner of the election called on Suliok to resign from his post, warning that otherwise he would face removal by law from Parliament.
This move is part of a broader plan of institutional changes announced by Magyar, with the aim – as he says – of restoring the country’s democratic functioning after years of Orbán’s rule.
Among the measures being considered, he said at least, is even the temporary suspension of state media news broadcasts until, as he claims, their public character is restored. Magyar has said his government will introduce a new press law and create a media watchdog, with the aim of allowing state-run media to “really do what they are meant to do”.
Trump’s unexpected statement
At the same time, a statement by the president of the United States, Donald Trump, who appeared unexpectedly positive towards the new prime minister of Hungary, caused a sensation.
Speaking to ABC News’ Jonathan Carl, Trump said “the new guy is going to do a good job — he’s a good guy,” despite repeatedly voicing his support for Viktor Orban during the campaign.
The US president added that he did not know if the outcome would have changed if he himself had gone to Hungary to support Orban instead of US Vice President Jay D. Vance.
“He was already far behind,” he said characteristically. “He wasn’t as involved this time. Victor is a good man though.”
The announcement came as a surprise as Trump had taken an active role in the election campaign, publicly endorsing Orban on social media and sending Vance to Budapest days before the vote.
What is happening to the state media
The Magyar attack on the country’s state media is not accidental and is based on the way Orbán’s governments over the years have used this media, while dismantling all independent media.
Maiard used his interviews with state media to directly confront the media themselves, accusing them of cultivating fear and spreading false information. In fact, he compared the information they provide with the propaganda of North Korea and Nazi Germany.
“Every Hungarian deserves a public media that broadcasts the truth,” he said on state radio. In a post on social media he said: “We have just watched the last days of a propaganda machine. After the formation of the Tisza government, we will suspend the news services of the “public” media until their public character is restored.”
Reporters Without Borders has repeatedly expressed concern about the media situation in Hungary. Political allies of Orban’s Fidesz party are estimated to control around 80% of the country’s media, while state media have long been seen as a government propaganda machine.
The challenge of deconstructing the Orbán system
These developments give a first glimpse of the difficulties that Magyar will face in his attempt to overturn the political system created by Orbán, which has often been characterized as an “illiberal democracy”.
During its years in power, the Fidesz party placed loyal collaborators in critical state institutions, the media and the judiciary. This raises questions about how the institutions will react to a government led by the Tisza party.
The issue of European funds
One of the main issues expected to occupy the first contacts of the new Hungarian government with the European Union is the unfreezing of approximately 17 billion euros of European funds that have been committed to Hungary.
Speaking to reporters, Magyar stressed the urgent need for progress in the talks, but pointed out that his country will only accept terms that serve the interests of citizens and the economy.
“I have made it clear and we have said it repeatedly: we can only comply with terms that are good for the Hungarian people, for Hungarian businesses and in general for our country,” he said.
It is not yet clear whether the statement means the new government is seeking to limit the number of conditions set by the European Commission, ahead of a deadline it has described as “extremely pressing”.
Support in Ukraine
At the same time, Mayar (before he even officially took over) is facing pressure to re-engage the country more actively in the issues that concern the Union. It is characteristic that Ukraine’s allies during a teleconference for support to Kiev, in the context of the conflict in the Middle East that may affect aid to the country, also referred to the issue of financing and the loan on which the Orban government had put the brakes on.
More specifically, the participants expressed the hope that the change of government in Hungary will allow the unblocking of a European Union plan for a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine.
The amount is expected to be given as an interest-free loan over a period of two years. According to the statements made, the money will allow Ukraine to purchase military equipment and rebuild infrastructure destroyed by Russia.
