Péter Magyar has said he has already spoken to 10 European leaders, a day after his landslide victory brought an end to Viktor Orbán's 16-year continuous rule in Hungary. But he said he would not be calling Vladimir Putin, a close partner of Orbán, even though he would speak to him if the Russian leader rang. If Vladimir Putin calls I'll pick up the phone, he told reporters during a three-hour marathon press conference to mark his Tisza party's election success on Sunday. I don't think it'll happen, he stressed, but if we did talk I'd tell him to please, after four years, put an end to the killing and end this war.
Moscow has said it respects Magyar's victory and expects to retain pragmatic relations with Budapest. Orbán has also been a key ally of US President Donald Trump, who backed him to win Sunday's election, and Vice-President JD Vance reinforced that with a two-day campaign visit last week.
Magyar told journalists that he would not be phoning Trump either, but if Trump phoned him, he would say he was glad as they were strong allies in Nato, and he would invite him to attend the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising against Soviet occupation next October.
Magyar has vowed to end corruption and cronyism, and preliminary election results show his party, Tisza, has secured a super majority in Parliament. He believes the elections signify a desire for complete regime change in Hungary, with a clear shift in relations towards Europe and away from the previous government's stance on the war in Ukraine. Hungary has chosen Europe, he declared, noting his intention to align closely with EU allies and strengthen Hungary’s position within Europe.
Moscow has said it respects Magyar's victory and expects to retain pragmatic relations with Budapest. Orbán has also been a key ally of US President Donald Trump, who backed him to win Sunday's election, and Vice-President JD Vance reinforced that with a two-day campaign visit last week.
Magyar told journalists that he would not be phoning Trump either, but if Trump phoned him, he would say he was glad as they were strong allies in Nato, and he would invite him to attend the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising against Soviet occupation next October.
Magyar has vowed to end corruption and cronyism, and preliminary election results show his party, Tisza, has secured a super majority in Parliament. He believes the elections signify a desire for complete regime change in Hungary, with a clear shift in relations towards Europe and away from the previous government's stance on the war in Ukraine. Hungary has chosen Europe, he declared, noting his intention to align closely with EU allies and strengthen Hungary’s position within Europe.
