Magyar pushes for swift power transfer after Hungary election win

Péter Magyar, whose party secured a landslide victory on April 12, met with Hungary's President Tamás Sulyok at the presidential palace to discuss the timing of the government transition.

Magyar told reporters he wanted the first meeting of the new National Assembly to be held on May 4, the day official election results are expected to be announced. He also called on Sulyok to resign, though the president did not directly address that demand.

Sulyok said in a social media post that he had told Magyar he would convene parliament "at the earliest possible date after the final result is announced." The president added that he would "officially propose" Magyar for the position of prime minister at the first meeting of the new parliament. Sulyok said he would consider Magyar's resignation request, according to Magyar's account of their conversation.

Magyar has described his political position as conservative and right-wing, while distancing himself from the term "patriot" as used by Orbán. He describes himself as pro-European and opposed to both excessive EU influence on national policy and the "sovereignism" espoused by his predecessor.

Magyar has stated that his task is to "tear down the Orbán system" and make Hungary a "normal, respected country" in Europe again. He announced plans to suspend state media news broadcasts as part of his break with the Orbán era.

U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the election outcome, telling ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl that he was not concerned about Orbán's loss. "I think the new man's going to do a good job – he's a good man," Trump said of Magyar. Trump noted that Orbán "was behind substantially" and said he was not heavily involved in the campaign, though Vice President JD Vance had campaigned for Orbán.

Hungary faces what officials described as its second system change since the collapse of communism in 1989 and 1990.