Viktor Orban’s defeat on April 12 sparked euphoria in Hungary and sets the country on course for what Peter Magyar calls a second systemic change since 1989/90. Magyar, the election winner, says his task is to “tear down the Orban system” and restore Hungary as a “normal, respected country” in Europe. Below is an outline of where he stands politically and the steps he plans to take.
Where does Peter Magyar stand politically?
Magyar presents himself as conservative and right-wing, rejecting the label “liberal conservative” while distancing himself from Orban-style patriotism and sovereignism. He is pro-European but opposes excessive EU interference in national affairs. His rhetoric can be polemical and provocative, yet he is not a populist in Orban’s mold.
What will Magyar do with his two-thirds majority?
With a supermajority, Magyar promises to restore checks and balances and return Hungary to rule-of-law standards. He plans a new constitution to replace parts of the current text that he sees as propaganda and designed to cement Orban’s power. Proposed constitutional limits include a two-term cap for prime ministers.
Magyar wants to reform the electoral law that benefited Fidesz, reverse extreme state centralization, and restore university autonomy. Judicial reform is not yet detailed, but he aims to strengthen judicial independence. He also intends to relinquish some prime ministerial powers, notably returning control of intelligence services to the Interior Ministry.
How will he tackle corruption?
Magyar pledges a tougher approach to corruption: creating an anti-corruption authority and an agency to handle restitution and review past public tenders above €25 million. He plans to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and to push for a more independent Attorney General. He has vowed to investigate alleged corruption during Orban’s 16 years in power.
What kind of relationship with the EU will Magyar’s government have?
Magyar says Hungary is unequivocally anchored in Europe and aims to be a reliable EU and NATO partner again, while still defending national interests through debate. He frames Hungary’s approach in Brussels as constructive rather than combative. Magyar also plans for Hungary to eventually join the Eurozone, though no timetable has been set.
Where does he stand on migration?
Magyar intends to carry forward strict border controls and maintain southern fortifications, continuing aspects of Orban’s anti-migration policy. He calls for a pan-European solution and pledges not to exploit migration for anti-EU propaganda. He has not proposed concrete EU-level migration policies and has signaled a halt to recruiting workers from outside the EU—an approach that may clash with Hungary’s labor shortages.
What is Magyar’s stance on Ukraine?
Magyar has adopted a cautious posture toward Ukraine amid recent polarized domestic narratives. He seeks a normalization of relations but opposes fast-tracking Ukraine’s EU integration. Like Orban, he rejects Hungarian participation in the EU’s €90-billion loan package for Ukraine, though he criticized Orban’s veto after Hungary secured its own exemption; he has not said clearly whether he would lift that veto. He insists Ukraine’s sovereignty and borders are inviolable, condemns aggression, and opposes peace plans that exclude Ukraine’s voice.
How does Magyar view Russia?
Magyar described the Orban government as a “puppet of the Kremlin” and vowed to confront Russian influence in Hungary. He plans to diversify energy supplies while stopping short of a complete cutoff from Russian energy. Existing contracts with Russia, including deals on the Paks nuclear plant, will be reviewed and amended if necessary. He said he would tell Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine if contacted and that Europe could normalize ties with Moscow only after the war ends.
How will Magyar approach the United States and Donald Trump?
Magyar values a close relationship with the United States but has signaled initial distance from President Donald Trump, whose public support for Orban during the campaign could cool ties. He has said he sees no need to speak with Trump immediately but plans to invite him to Budapest for the 70th anniversary of the 1956 revolution in October.
How important is Central Europe to Magyar?
Magyar prioritizes stronger cooperation with Central European states—Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Austria—and would like to expand Visegrad-style ties to include Slovenia, Croatia and Romania. He sees Central Europe as an important bloc within the EU and has chosen Warsaw as his first official foreign visit, underlining the importance he places on ties with Poland.
What will happen to Orban’s “VIP refugees”?
During Orban’s rule Hungary granted asylum to several foreign politicians accused of corruption, including former Macedonian prime minister Nikola Gruevski and former Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro. Magyar has said he will extradite such figures back to their home countries if they have not already left Hungary.
Overall, Magyar’s program mixes conservative domestic reforms, a declared return to European and transatlantic cooperation, and a commitment to combating corruption and limiting concentrated executive power. On foreign policy, he aims for clearer alignment with EU and NATO partners while maintaining pragmatic positions on migration, energy and relations with Russia and Ukraine. Many measures are set out in principle rather than detail; successful implementation will depend on political will, the management of economic and labor realities, and how Magyar navigates entrenched interests and legal complexities after Orban’s long tenure.
This article was originally published in German.