Péter Magyar, the winner of the Hungarian election, is seeking to forge a special relationship with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to help restore Budapest's ties with the European Union after years of illiberal rule under Viktor Orbán. The two centre-right, pro-European leaders share the task of rebuilding the rule of law and improving state institutions following democratic backsliding and clashes with the bloc.
Magyar spoke with Tusk on election night, with the Polish leader calling from Korea to express his joy. Tusk later told reporters, 'First Warsaw, then Bucharest, Chișinău, and now Budapest. This part of Europe is showing that we are not condemned to corrupt and authoritarian rule.' He added, 'A weight has been lifted off my shoulders, because I was worried until the very end.'
Magyar has chosen Warsaw for his first foreign trip and confirmed plans to move quickly against two former Polish ministers hiding in Budapest from prosecution over alleged abuses of power. He stated they should not 'go and buy furniture in Ikea, because they are not staying long.' The ministers served in Poland's previous Law and Justice government, which lost power to Tusk's coalition in 2023.
On Friday, EU officials held informal talks with the incoming administration. Brussels expects Magyar to drop Hungary's block on a €90bn loan to Ukraine and agree to new sanctions against Russia as early signals of realignment. Hungary must also meet conditions related to its institutions, judiciary, anti-corruption measures, asylum laws, and academic freedoms.
Polish and Hungarian officials are discussing how Poland's success in reversing illiberal rule and unlocking frozen EU funds could apply to Hungary. However, time is tight: Hungary must hit 'super milestones' by the end of August to access the first €10.4bn tranche, with €2.12bn already permanently lost. Polish officials warned that 'promises will not be enough; they will have to actually change things - and quickly.'
