Overview
- Péter Magyar, who routed Viktor Orbán in Sunday’s election, told President Tamás Sulyok on Wednesday to step down and said he will table a law to remove Sulyok and other top Orbán-era appointees if they refuse.
- Magyar said the new parliament is likely to meet on May 6 or 7, and he plans to suspend state media news programs and push a new media law and regulator to end what he called party propaganda.
- His priorities include justice and anti-corruption reforms aimed at unfreezing billions in EU payments, with plans for an anti-corruption authority, a restitution body to review large past tenders over €25 million, and joining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
- Orbán’s ouster is reshaping regional politics as Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Czechia’s Andrej Babiš offered careful congratulations, and President Donald Trump, who backed Orbán, later said he liked Magyar and expected him to do a good job.
- Budapest saw large street celebrations, and arts leaders said they hope cultural institutions regain autonomy, while coverage of Orbán’s legacy split between outlets labeling his system “illiberal” and others arguing he still governed within democratic bounds.