Description: Hungary’s prime minister – elect, Peter Magyar, in his first televised appearance after the election win, immediately outlined potential reforms that Tisza would push for in order for Hungary to be able to access the frozen Covid funds provided by the EU which were frozen due to the lack of legislative reforms and judicial independence. Magyar stated that he and Tisza would focus on restoring media and academic freedoms, providing independent judiciary and reforms to the investigative organs and undertaking severe anti – corruption measures. He also heavily criticized public media sources and threatened them with closure until the government ensures objective and impartial reporting in cooperation with the other political parties in parliament. He also met Hungary’s president in the Alexander Palace in Budapest, where he reportedly demanded the president’s resignation and threatened that in case the president does not resign, he could use Tisza’s majority in parliament to amend the constitution and legislation in order to force him and other remnants of the Orban regime out of office.
Impact: Magyar’s heavy descension towards dismantling the Fidesz and Orban loyalists is likely positioning the prime minister – elect in a situation of rapidly developing spiral towards becoming a sophisticated conservative authoritarian. His reforms, although radical and likely necessary, are constrained by the EU, but considering Hungary’s right – leaning political tendencies, Magyar’s threats towards the public media and towards the president of the country are highly likely the beginning stage of his modus of ruling. His radical approach towards immediate reformism could likely continue to impede civil liberties in Hungary or potentially position the new prime minister as the new strongman, replacing Orban with a dosage of political sophistication. Smaller political parties as well as Tisza’s centrist base would be crucial in controlling Hungary’s retraction towards Europe and NATO and out of Russia’s sphere of influence.