Peter Magyar, leader of Hungary's Tisza Party, speaks at an international press conference in Budapest, Hungary, April 13, 2026. Hungary's opposition party Tisza, led by Peter Magyar, defeated Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling coalition by securing a majority in Sunday's parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results released by the National Election Office (NEO). (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)
BUDAPEST, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Peter Magyar, whose Tisza party won Hungary's parliamentary election on Sunday, has pledged constructive cooperation with the European Union (EU) while pursuing a pragmatic approach to foreign and economic policy.
Speaking on Monday at his first press conference after the vote, Magyar emphasized Hungary's European identity, saying that "Hungary's place in Europe was, is, and will always be." But he also signaled openness to pragmatic international cooperation.
On Ukraine, Magyar said Hungary does not support accelerated EU accession, arguing that it is not feasible to admit "a country at war" and stressing that all candidates must follow the full accession process. He added that any future decision on Ukraine's membership will be subject to a referendum, which is unlikely in the near term.
On the EU's proposed 90-billion-euro (105 billion U.S. dollars) loan package for Ukraine, Magyar said Hungary had already secured an opt-out under a December European Council decision, signaling that Hungary will not maintain its previous blocking stance.
Hungary should remain outside the scheme due to its difficult economic situation and focus on securing EU funds already allocated to it, he added.
On Russia, Magyar said Europe may reconsider its sanctions against Russia once the conflict in Ukraine ends, arguing that higher energy costs undermine competitiveness. Meanwhile, he said Hungary will seek to diversify its energy sources and procure oil and gas "from as many places as possible."
He also pledged swift action to unlock around 20 billion euros (23 billion dollars) in frozen EU funds, and outlined a series of reforms aimed at meeting European Commission requirements to unfreeze them, including anti-corruption measures, restoring judicial independence, ensuring media freedom, and strengthening academic autonomy.
He promised to move quickly to reach an agreement with Brussels in this regard, including through talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Moreover, Magyar said he is open to pragmatic cooperation with China, adding that such ties serve the interests of both sides. "I would be very happy to visit Beijing, and we would also be very pleased to welcome Chinese leaders here in Hungary," he said.
With nearly all votes counted, Tisza has gained a qualified majority, exceeding the two-thirds threshold, according to the National Election Office on Monday.
Under Hungarian law, President Tamas Sulyok is expected to consult party leaders in the new parliament and ask Magyar to form the next government. ■
Peter Magyar, leader of Hungary's Tisza Party, speaks at an international press conference in Budapest, Hungary, April 13, 2026. Hungary's opposition party Tisza, led by Peter Magyar, defeated Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling coalition by securing a majority in Sunday's parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results released by the National Election Office (NEO). (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)
Peter Magyar, leader of Hungary's Tisza Party, speaks at an international press conference in Budapest, Hungary, April 13, 2026. Hungary's opposition party Tisza, led by Peter Magyar, defeated Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling coalition by securing a majority in Sunday's parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results released by the National Election Office (NEO). (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)
Peter Magyar, leader of Hungary's Tisza Party, attends an international press conference in Budapest, Hungary, April 13, 2026. Hungary's opposition party Tisza, led by Peter Magyar, defeated Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling coalition by securing a majority in Sunday's parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results released by the National Election Office (NEO). (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)
Peter Magyar, leader of Hungary's Tisza Party, speaks at an international press conference in Budapest, Hungary, April 13, 2026. Hungary's opposition party Tisza, led by Peter Magyar, defeated Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling coalition by securing a majority in Sunday's parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results released by the National Election Office (NEO). (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)
Peter Magyar, leader of Hungary's Tisza Party, attends an international press conference in Budapest, Hungary, April 13, 2026. Hungary's opposition party Tisza, led by Peter Magyar, defeated Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling coalition by securing a majority in Sunday's parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results released by the National Election Office (NEO). (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)
