Peter Magyar: Hungary Wants to Be a European Country Again

Péter Magyar, leader of the pro-European conservative Tisza Party, has won a landslide victory in Hungary’s parliamentary elections held on April 13, 2026. The election ended the 16-year tenure of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who conceded defeat less than three hours after the polls closed.

Magyar, a 45-year-old lawyer and former Orbán loyalist who emerged as an opposition leader in 2024, secured a two-thirds majority in the parliament. He has indicated a desire to take over as prime minister as early as May 5, 2026.

Commitments to European and Atlantic Integration

Following the victory, Magyar addressed supporters on the banks of the Danube River in Budapest, where he pledged to rebuild Hungary’s relationships with the European Union (EU) and NATO. During a rally, Magyar stated that Hungary wants to be a European country again.

A primary objective for the new administration is the recovery of billions of dollars in EU funding that have been frozen since 2022. The European Union halted these funds on the grounds that the Orbán government was violating key democratic values. Magyar has identified bringing home these frozen funds as his first priority.

In a press conference on April 14, 2026, Magyar pledged to cooperate with other European nations and end the era of obstruction regarding Europe-wide policies that characterized the previous administration.

Stance on Ukraine and Russia

The transition of power has drawn significant attention in Brussels and Kyiv due to Viktor Orbán’s previous alignment with Russia and his frequent blocking of EU decisions concerning support for Ukraine.

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Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, Magyar stated that he would be willing to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin if the Russian leader initiated a call. Magyar noted that if such a conversation occurred, he would tell Putin to end the war and the killing, though he acknowledged that he does not believe Putin would end the war based on his advice.

Magyar has expressed readiness to support a critical €90bn EU loan for Ukraine, provided that Hungary does not participate in the loan—terms that align with an agreement reached by Orbán in December 2025. However, some EU members, including Poland and the Baltic states, may have concerns regarding Magyar’s position on other issues. He has described his support for Ukraine’s EU accession as lukewarm, stating it would not happen in the next 10 years.

Domestic Reform and Governance

The election results were driven largely by voter concerns regarding entrenched government corruption. Magyar has promised to root out cronyism and corruption while working to restore the system of checks and balances within the Hungarian government.

In his victory speech, Magyar evoked the words of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, stating: Today we won because the Hungarian people didn’t ask what their country could do for them, but what they could do for their country.

He further asserted that the country will never again allow anyone to hold free Hungary captive or to abandon it.