Magyar meets president to secure power after election victory

Péter Magyar, who recently ended Viktor Orbán's 16-year tenure, is set to meet Hungary's President Tamás Sulyok to facilitate a quick transfer of power following a landslide victory. Magyar, appearing on public TV and radio for the first time in 18 months, emphasized the need to be in office by around May 5. He criticized the media landscape, stating that 70-80% had been commandeered by Orbán's allies, and announced plans to suspend their news coverage, which he labeled as propaganda.

U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Magyar, calling him a "good man" and expressing confidence in his leadership. Magyar's Tisza party achieved a super-majority in parliament, breaking away from Orbán's Fidesz party, which faced backlash over corruption scandals and media manipulation. He has already engaged with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss unfreezing billions in EU funding tied to rule of law issues.

Despite Magyar's ascendancy, Orbán is expected to remain as caretaker prime minister during an upcoming EU summit, complicating the political landscape. Magyar has indicated that he views Orbán's veto on aid to Ukraine as irrelevant, but the process for lifting it remains unclear. Orbán has maintained a low profile since the election, focusing on rebuilding his party.

Power Read: Magyar's rise signals a potential shift in Hungary's governance and EU relations, as he seeks to dismantle Orbán's legacy of media control and corruption. This transition could realign Hungary with EU values, but Orbán's lingering influence poses a challenge. The upcoming EU summit will test Magyar's ability to navigate these complexities while addressing Hungary's economic stagnation and political isolation.

What to watch: The outcome of Magyar's meeting with President Sulyok and the timeline for his official appointment as prime minister.