Hungary’s Prime Minister Péter Magyar invited dozens of foreign leaders to Budapest for the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution, but several prominent European leaders will be absent. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and Moldovan President Maia Sandu are among the high-profile guests expected at Friday’s commemorations.

Several of Europe’s most prominent political leaders will not attend Budapest’s commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of Hungary’s 1956 Revolution on 23 October. French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will all be absent in person, despite invitations from Prime Minister Péter Magyar.

Instead, most foreign delegations will be led by ministers, parliamentary speakers and state secretaries. However, some of the European Union’s top officials and a number of national leaders are expected to attend the events.

The Hungarian government has not yet published a complete guest list. Hungarian news outlet Telex contacted European embassies, foreign ministries and presidential and prime ministerial offices to establish who had accepted Magyar’s invitations.

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Which foreign leaders are coming to Budapest?

The most prominent guests confirmed so far include:

  • Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, who is also expected to deliver a speech.
  • António Costa, President of the European Council, whose official schedule includes the Budapest commemorations.
  • Maia Sandu, President of Moldova.
  • Đuro Macut, Prime Minister of Serbia.
  • Jens Stoltenberg, former NATO Secretary General and Norway’s current finance minister.

Several European countries will also send senior parliamentary representatives and government ministers.

Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, Slovenian National Assembly President Zoran Stevanović and Swiss Council of States President Stefan Engler are among those expected to attend.

Austria will be represented by Federal Council President Christine Schwarz-Fuchs and former Chancellor and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. Belgium’s delegation will include Deputy Prime Minister Vincent Van Peteghem, while the country’s King Philippe has sent a message to Hungarian President András Baka marking the anniversary.

The Netherlands will send former Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, who holds the honorary title of Minister of State.

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Who will represent France, Germany and Italy?

Despite earlier expectations, some of the most prominent European leaders will not personally attend the celebrations.

The French Embassy in Budapest confirmed to Telex that Emmanuel Macron will not be coming. It also clarified that the French side had never officially confirmed a possible visit, despite Magyar previously suggesting that the French president would attend.

Germany will send two official delegations. Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger will lead the delegation representing Chancellor Friedrich Merz, while Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher will lead a second delegation.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will also be absent. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto will represent the country instead. According to the Italian Embassy, his attendance reflects the strong relationship between the two countries and Italy’s solidarity with the Hungarian people during the 1956 Revolution.

Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg will attend in his current capacity as finance minister rather than as a former NATO chief.

Several invited leaders have declined

A number of other European heads of state and government have also confirmed that they will not attend.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen received an invitation from Hungarian President András Baka during a meeting in Slovenia last week. However, his office said other commitments would prevent him from travelling to Budapest, adding that he looked forward to his next visit to Hungary.

The following leaders have also declined their invitations:

  • Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Estonia, who will instead be represented by Justice and Digital Affairs Minister Liisa Pakosta.
  • Micheál Martin, Prime Minister of Ireland, whose country will send European Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne.
  • Finland’s President and Prime Minister, who have other previously scheduled commitments.
  • The Prime Ministers of Lithuania and Latvia, who are also unable to attend because of prior engagements.

Hungary invited a broad range of foreign leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy recently said he would not rule out travelling to Budapest, but Magyar has indicated that he does not expect the Ukrainian president to attend.

Magyar previously said that everyone had been invited except Russian President Vladimir Putin, estimating that the number of invitations could be between 100 and 150.

Magyar had hoped for a larger gathering of world leaders

Magyar began inviting foreign leaders to the anniversary celebrations shortly after winning Hungary’s parliamentary election in April. At a press conference on 13 April, he expressed hope that even the US Secretary of State, Vice President or President might attend.

He subsequently extended invitations to leaders who congratulated him on his election victory, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During his first international trips as prime minister, he also invited leaders from Poland, Austria, Germany and France to visit Budapest for the occasion.

In an interview with Hungarian outlet Partizán last week, Magyar described the celebrations as a multi-day series of events rather than a conventional national holiday programme.

The planned events include a ceremonial session in Parliament, a large gathering at Kossuth Lajos Square and a gala performance at the Hungarian State Opera. Magyar also plans to host arriving heads of state, heads of government, parliamentary speakers and other international guests at the Museum of Fine Arts.

The government has not yet responded to Telex’s questions about the final guest list. As several foreign ministries and diplomatic missions have also not replied, the confirmed list may grow.