Hungary PM Péter Magyar Vows to Restore Democracy and Unlock EU Funds
In his first speech as Prime Minister, Péter Magyar outlined a transformative agenda for Hungary, focused on restoring democratic checks and balances and judicial independence. He pledged to unlock approximately €34 billion in frozen EU cohesion funds and defense loans by addressing the rule-of-law
Kyiv Post
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Hungary’s new prime minister, Péter Magyar, pledged in his first speech after being sworn in on Saturday to restore his country’s international credibility, strengthen democratic checks and balances, and unlock billions frozen over rule-of-law concerns.
“We will become a government of national self-determination, restore Hungary’s international credibility, rebuild our alliances and bring home the EU resources that belong to the Hungarian people and companies,” he said.
“Hungary’s place is in Europe and we are building a strong, respected European Hungary that clearly represents its own interests,” added the center-right leader.
The EU has blocked some €17 billion in cohesion and recovery funds for Hungary due to longstanding concerns under the previous Viktor Orbán government—particularly issues related to judicial independence, systemic corruption risks in public procurement and broader democratic backsliding.
Meanwhile, Budapest is also seeking around €17 billion in defense loans from the EU’s flagship SAFE program. Together, the €34 billion would provide a major boost to the country’s economy.
Magyar said his new government would review Hungary’s constitutional system, restore institutional independence and propose limits on the number of terms a prime minister can serve.
The Polish-Ukrainian Historical Congress has concluded, with the Centrum Mieroszewskiego hailing it as the largest gathering of researchers in the history of the two nations’ relations. Held in collaboration with the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, the three-day event focused on open academic debate regarding difficult historical topics.
Mandate for change
“I will not rule Hungary. I will serve my country,” Magyar said.
He added voters had given his Tisza party a mandate not only to change the government, but to change the system itself. Magyar added the April 12 election showed that Hungarians wanted a new start after years of division.
Magyar accused the previous government of allowing trillions of forints [€1=350 forints] in public money to disappear through foundations, the National Bank, overpriced investments and politically connected business circles.
But he warned that renewal would not be possible without accountability.
“There is no new beginning without reconciliation. Reconciliation, however, is not possible without justice, and justice is not possible without confrontation,” he said.
As the new prime minister, he apologized to teachers, journalists, civil activists, healthcare workers and public figures who he said had been attacked or treated as enemies for criticizing those in power.
Magyar accused Hungary’s previous political leadership of deliberately turning citizens against one another. He urged voters not to leave politics only to politicians, asking them to monitor the new government and hold it to its promises.
“The homeland cannot and will not be the privilege of a few. Our wonderful homeland is the common home of all Hungarians,” he said.
He also promised to rebuild public services, trust, fair competition and national unity “step by step, brick by brick.
Magyar said his government would focus on people living in poverty, pensioners, children, teachers, doctors and nurses.
He said Hungary needed a healthcare system that offered timely help, schools that gave children a path to social mobility, and a child protection system that meant “real protection.”
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