The man who poured wine over Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar at a festival in Szekszárd in September has apologised in a letter. Magyar confirmed on Sunday that he had received the apology and said he considered the matter closed, adding that he would not initiate legal proceedings.

The prime minister shared the letter on social media, along with a brief response thanking the man for the gesture. The letter, dated 25 September, acknowledges that the incident was wrong and that the writer takes responsibility for his actions.

“Looking back on what happened, I realise that my actions were unworthy both on a human level, towards you personally, and of the basic respect that people should show one another in public life,” the man wrote.

He also said that disagreements and the emotions they can provoke should only be expressed in a civil and respectful manner. In the letter, he apologised for creating an unpleasant situation and disturbing the prime minister’s peace.

Magyar responded: “Thank you for the gesture. As far as I am concerned, the matter is closed; I will not initiate proceedings. Go, Szekszárd!”

What happened at the Szekszárd festival?

The incident took place on 19 September, during the Szekszárd Harvest Festival. Magyar had stopped at the event while travelling home from a campaign visit to Pécs.

According to reports and footage of the incident, the prime minister was standing at a food stall when a man approached from a short distance and threw the contents of his wine glass over him. Security staff subsequently escorted the man away from the scene.

Magyar commented on the incident shortly afterwards, suggesting that the man had been bothered by the cheerful atmosphere but had not been brave enough to confront him face to face.

The man’s wife later told Hungarian media that her husband felt bad about what had happened. The apology now published by Magyar formally acknowledges responsibility for the incident, while the prime minister’s response indicates that he does not intend to take the matter further.

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