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Hungary's next leader seeks to restart relations with the EU after Orban's departure and secure funds blocked over rule of law concerns
Hungary's incoming leader, Peter Magyar, headed to Brussels on Wednesday for his first visit to European Union leaders since his election victory, seeking to open a new chapter after tense relations under the nationalist government of Viktor Orban.
EU leaders welcomed his victory this month, which ended 16 years in power for Orban, who is seen as close to the Kremlin. Even without officially taking office, Magyar has sought to usher in a new era of cooperation with Brussels, hoping to unlock billions of euros for Budapest.
“An extraordinary authorization, a strong mandate, a great responsibility,” Magyar wrote on social media as he departed Budapest, adding “we know what we must do: bring home the EU funds that belong to Hungarians.”
Both sides have moved quickly to put behind them the obstacles and clashes of the Orban era, which blocked key EU initiatives, particularly in support of Ukraine in the fight against the Russian invasion of 2022.
Magyar aims to show that his promise to restore relations can bring quick benefits and wants to convince Brussels to release around 18 billion euros in funds frozen due to concerns over the rule of law during Orban's government.
While Magyar will only become prime minister next month, his team has already held two rounds of talks with senior EU officials, aiming to return Hungary to the bloc's mainstream.
Time is limited: the next government has until the end of August to launch the necessary reforms to secure the remaining 10 billion euros of post-pandemic recovery funds, otherwise they will be permanently lost.
Wednesday's meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa aim to move this process forward, as Brussels sets out the changes it expects from Magyar.
EU officials hope that the strong parliamentary majority won by Magyar will help him quickly adopt the required reforms.
"We have never seen such a level of commitment from a government that has not yet taken office," MEP Daniel Freund, a strong critic of Orban, told AFP, adding "it is almost as if Hungary is rejoining the European Union."
According to officials, the quickest way for Brussels to give Magyar an early success could be to approve some 16 billion euros in favorable defense loans, which had been blocked as clashes with Orban worsened ahead of the Hungarian election.
“Wait and see”
As the EU hammers out the details of the reforms it is demanding from Magyar, European leaders will also seek a new approach to Ukraine. The incoming leader gave a positive signal on Tuesday, saying he intends to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in June to “open a new chapter.”
Even before Magyar takes office, Orbán's defeat has already helped unblock several key issues. Last week, the EU approved a large loan for Ukraine and a new package of sanctions on Russia, which Hungary had blocked for months.
Hungary's European partners now expect Magyar to unblock EU funds for arming Ukraine and lift the veto imposed by Orban that prevents Kiev from moving to the next stage of the EU membership process.
Officials emphasize that Ukraine deserves to move forward in this complex process, although there is no willingness from major EU powers to accelerate its full membership in the short term.
There is hope in Brussels that Magyar, who previously served under Orban before distancing himself from him, will truly open a new chapter in the relationship.
However, officials remain cautious and seek concrete actions beyond positive statements.
"So far, the stance is to wait and see ," an EU diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding " but that could change, given all the good things he says and does."
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