Breaking – New Constitution: Orbán can never again become premier; live updates from Péter Magyar’s international press conference 🔴

Péter Magyar held an international press briefing this afternoon, setting out his vision, his government’s initial steps, and fielding questions from journalists. He pledged that everyone would have their say. He addressed Hungary’s new foreign policy, lessons from the campaign, his government’s first moves, the prospect of an even greater victory for Tisza, his stance towards Putin and the Russian people, and the introduction of the euro. He signalled that the constitution would be amended to limit prime ministers to a maximum of two terms, barring Viktor Orbán from serving again.

According to Magyar, Tisza could ultimately secure 141 or 142 seats once votes from those who registered to vote away from their residence and from overseas missions are tallied (they currently stand at 138). He attributes Fidesz’s current 55 MPs solely to their deployment of media and intelligence services to cling to power.

As Tisza’s victorious leader, he called on Tamás Sulyok to convene the new parliament’s inaugural session by 4 or 5 May. He reiterated his request for Sulyok to resign once asked to form a government.

What are the Tisza government’s three most urgent policy packages?

• Constitutional reform: Prime ministers limited to two terms, or eight years, meaning Orbán is disqualified;
• restoration of pluralistic democracy and checks and balances;
• creation of an asset recovery office;
• Hungary joins the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Continuous engagement with the people

Politics, Magyar insists, must be about people. Foreign politicians have asked him for the secret; he says it is simply to spend as much time as possible among them, though that demands sacrifices. Politics can be noble, honest, and just, he added.

He vowed maximum public involvement—via referendums or online surveys—but not like Fidesz’s national consultations.

Foreign policy shifts

In Magyar’s view, Hungarians yesterday made a clear choice: we belong in the EU and NATO. The European Union is a peace project, and a resounding success at that. As a former diplomat, he has come to understand its workings—and its bureaucratic excesses—vowing to address the latter.

He promised unyielding advocacy for Hungarian interests in Strasbourg, Brussels, Washington, Moscow, and Beijing. He said he could soon meet with German chancellor Friedrich Merz. The new government will be a constructive partner in Europe, resolving disputes through compromise. Europe, he argues, has lost ground amid social woes and the Ukraine war’s toll; he aims to forge a common voice and resolve the “Kissinger problem” at last. He also pledged to end the practice of blocking candidate states for domestic political reasons.

Magyar disclosed that, per his information, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and close colleagues are shredding sanctions-related documents at the foreign ministry, with similar activity in other state bodies.

The next 30 days will be critical, he warned, as vast troves of background agreements, contracts, and international commitments remain unknown. Those not harming Hungarian interests will be published.

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Budget, nationwide tour, new cabinet

The budget requires immediate amendment due to the first quarter’s massive deficit, Magyar said. He will resume his nationwide tour immediately after the handover.

He revealed no further cabinet names but indicated that super-ministries will be dismantled—yielding standalone education and finance ministries, for instance.

Energy and public administration

According to Magyar, Hungary’s civil service boasts excellent professionals who have hitherto been stifled for political reasons. They can now dust off their expertise and work freely.

He signalled that Mihály Varga could remain at the helm of the central bank provided he sticks to his remit.

In Magyar’s view, Hungary must diversify its energy procurement to secure lower prices—while over-reliance on a single source remains perilous.

Ukraine’s EU accession and International Criminal Court

Péter Magyar declared that Hungary will join the International Criminal Court, but deems Ukraine’s EU membership acceptable only after it meets all conditions and following a referendum.

He noted that the €90 billion loan package for Kyiv was agreed long ago; he has no intention of scuppering it, though Hungary will sit out the disbursements.

Russia: security risk

The Tisza Party leader stated that he is determined to negotiate with Ukraine’s leadership over the plight of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia and the securing of their rights.

He would also draw in Romania, alongside the leaders of other neighbouring states, to collaborate in a format akin to the Visegrád Group.

Russia poses a security risk, he emphasised—not the Russian people, but their leaders.

Migration

Péter Magyar said that the European leaders had played the good Samaritans during the 2015 illegal migration crisis. Meanwhile, they disregarded the expectations of their own citizens. His approach, he added, would enable continued action against illegal migration without the burden of €1 million daily fines.

Euro introduction and public media

No firm timeline yet, however; the Tisza government must first assess the true state of the budget before setting a target date for meeting the Maastricht criteria.

He added that the programme of the public media would be suspended until they could ensure its objectivity with the other three parliamentary parties.

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