Hungary's president Magyar government

Hungary’s president Magyar government

Budapest (dpa) — Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok is aiming for the quick formation of a government under election winner Péter Magyar following his overwhelming victory over Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Sunday.

After a meeting with Magyar, Sulyok wrote on Facebook on Wednesday that he “will formally nominate him for the office of prime minister” at the constituent session of the new parliament, which he would convene “at the earliest possible date.”

According to the constitution, this must take place by May 12 at the latest. The date ultimately depends on when the Electoral Commission can announce the final election result, following the resolution of any challenges.

Once the president makes a nomination, parliament can elect the prime minister with the necessary support of at least 50% of lawmakers.

Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party secured 52% of the vote in Sunday’s parliamentary election. Under Hungary’s electoral system, the result translated into a two-thirds supermajority in parliament, sufficient to amend the constitution.

Hungary’s president Magyar government

Sulyok was elected president by parliament in 2024 with support from Orbán’s populist Fidesz party. Magyar has said he regards Sulyok as “not legitimate.”

Following the meeting with the president at his official residence in Buda Castle, Magyar repeated his demand for Sulyok’s resignation.

“I reiterated to him that, in my view and in the eyes of the Hungarian people, he is not worthy of embodying the unity of the Hungarian nation.”

Magyar told journalists that Sulyok is unsuitable to safeguard the legality of the institutions and set a moral standard for Hungarians, calling on the president to “voluntarily step down” once the government has been formed.

If he fails to do so, the Tisza faction in the new parliament will introduce constitutional amendments that would enable his removal from office, Magyar said.