Hungary’s election winner Péter Magyar on Ukraine, war and EU loan
Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party that won Hungary’s parliamentary elections, said his future government will seek “allied, if possible friendly” relations with all neighboring countries, including Ukraine, during a press conference at the Hungexpo Congress and Exhibition Centre on Monday, according to 24.hu, and Telex.
Magyar told journalists he will definitely meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — “if not elsewhere, then at the European Council.”
“Everyone in Hungary knows that Ukraine is the victim in this war,” he said, adding that no one from outside has the right to dictate the terms on which Ukraine should conclude peace.
He named the settlement of the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine as a precondition for normalizing relations, but noted that this is also understood by Ukrainian leadership.
On the €90 billion ($103 billion) EU loan for Ukraine, Magyar said the decision had already been agreed in December and does not concern Hungary. He personally agrees that Hungary should not participate because of its difficult economic situation, but questioned why Viktor Orbán had raised the issue when the decision was already made.
Magyar said he does not support accelerated EU membership for Ukraine while the country is at war, as accession negotiations cannot be conducted properly under such conditions. If the issue becomes relevant, a referendum would be held in Hungary, he added.
He believes many EU leaders share this view and that Ukraine will have to go through the same accession process as other countries — a process he does not expect to be completed within 10 years.
On relations with Russia and the U.S.
Magyar said he is satisfied with the Kremlin’s statement that it will respect the election results. He promised pragmatic relations with Russia and a review of classified contracts.
“If Vladimir Putin calls, I will answer. I will not call him myself,” he said.
If they spoke, he would tell Putin to stop the killings in Ukraine, though he expects the conversation would be short.
He pledged to do everything possible to diversify energy supplies but noted geography cannot be changed: “Russia will remain here, Hungary will remain here. We will do everything for diversification, but that does not mean we will cut ourselves off. We will always obtain oil in the cheapest and safest way.”
Regarding cooperation with Washington, Magyar stressed that the United States is the leading force in NATO and good, close relations with the U.S. are very important for Hungary.
He does not plan to call President Trump, but if anyone from the U.S. administration contacts the government, they are ready to cooperate and would welcome them in Hungary. In particular, Magyar is ready to invite U.S. President Donald Trump to the 70th anniversary of the 1956 revolution.
Magyar has announced that he plans to keep the fence on the southern border despite the EU fining Hungary for failing to comply with a decision on migration. He said the shortcomings would be fixed, but also pointed to "unfair treatment." Magyar believes he will solve the problem in a way that Hungary will not have to pay a fine.
Elections in Hungary
The conservative party Tisza, led by Péter Magyar, won the parliamentary elections in Hungary.
Tisza received 52.88% of the vote and 45 seats in parliament. This also secures the position of prime minister for Magyar. In Hungary, the head of government is elected by parliament upon the president’s nomination, and this position is typically held by the leader of the party that wins the parliamentary elections.
On election day in Hungary, a record voter turnout was recorded—as of 7:00 p.m. local time on April 12, 77.8% of voters, or more than 5.8 million people, had cast their ballots, setting a historic record.