Although he previously campaigned for Viktor Orbán, the President of the United States has now described Péter Magyar as “a good man.”
“I think he will do a good job,” Trump said in an interview for ABC News, even though just days earlier he had urged Hungarians to vote for his “close friend and ally Viktor Orbán.”
Magyar, who represents the centre-right Tisza Party and won at least 138 of the 199 parliamentary seats, said that the final election results are expected to be confirmed by May 4, after which his cabinet will begin work immediately.
“We have no time to lose. We will do everything possible to ensure this truly marks the beginning of a new era. The Hungarian people did not vote for a simple change of government, but for a complete regime change,” said Péter Magyar, the election winner in Hungary.
Magyar, a former Orbán ally, secured a two-thirds majority that could help him implement his vision for transforming the country. According to The Guardian, Viktor Orbán’s four consecutive governments significantly weakened the rule of law in Hungary, with the outgoing prime minister appointing loyal judges, turning around 80% of the media into government mouthpieces, and enriching close associates.
Orbán, who previously enjoyed support from Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, had repeated clashes with the EU over issues including justice, migration, and Ukraine.
Magyar said his government will quickly implement anti-corruption measures, restore judicial independence, and ensure media freedom, with hopes of unlocking frozen European Union funds.
