Hungary’s New Leader Vows to Reset EU Relations Damaged by Orban

Hungary’s next leader Peter Magyar said he wants to bring his country back into the European fold in a clean break with Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s 16 years of antagonistic rule.Author of the article:You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Hungary’s next leader Peter Magyar said he wants to bring his country back into the European fold in a clean break with Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s 16 years of antagonistic rule. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Speaking in his first post-election news conference on Monday, Magyar called for a swift transition of power following the country’s historic vote to allow him to move quickly to tap frozen European Union funds. While he criticized Orban for reducing Hungary to a “Russian puppet,” he signaled he would be pragmatic in dealing with Moscow, which continues to supply most of his country’s oil and gas.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Magyar’s promise of a reset in relations with European partners comes after Hungarians turned up in record numbers to give his Tisza party a two-thirds parliamentary majority needed to reverse the country’s slide into authoritarianism.Magyar said he spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said earlier Monday that she would start working with the new Hungarian government “as soon as possible.” The EU has been withholding more than $20 billion of funding for Hungary due to corruption and rule of law concerns under Orban, money that is crucial for reviving the economy and which underpinned a months-long currency rally.Bringing home EU funds is a “priority” for a cash-strapped budget, Magyar said during a news conference that lasted three hour. Standing against the backdrop of Hungarian and EU flags, he added that he’d get the economy in shape to be able to eventually join the euro.While Hungary is bound to have “debates” with the EU going forward, Budapest would work constructively with Brussels, Magyar said. He said he won’t stand in the way of Ukraine receiving a €90 billion ($105 billion) EU loan, which Orban has been blocking, but added that his country would maintain an opt-out from participating in the assistance financially.The pro-Kremlin foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto traveled to Moscow more than a dozen times since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, often to ink and affirm natural gas and oil deals. During the election campaign, leaked transcripts of phone calls showed Szijjarto had volunteered to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov his services to dilute EU sanctions against Russia. Szijjarto had called it routine diplomacy, while Magyar has called the minister a “bag carrier” for Lavrov.Magyar called Russia a security risk for Europe and plans to re-evaluate those ties. He intends to diversify energy imports without stopping Russian deliveries, which he compared to “shooting oneself in the foot.” On Monday, Magyar alleged, based on information he said he’d received, that Szijjarto had shredded documents relating to EU sanctions inside the foreign ministry in Budapest. The foreign ministry didn’t respond to a phone call seeking comment.Magyar presented the revelalation as pervasive for a government that often classified government decisions, including for major projects and loans. He also said political loyalists of Orban, including the president and prosecutors, had abdicated their responsibilities by staying silent or failing to live up to their responsibilities. “Hungarian people didn’t just decide to replace a government, they backed a complete system change,” Magyar said, adding that his Tisza party’s supermajority in the next parliament would allow him to get rid of top officials appointed by Orban.A notable exception, he said, would be National Bank of Hungary Governor Mihaly Varga, Orban’s former longtime finance minister, whom Magyar characterized as living up to his responsibilities. The central bank, over the past year, had resisted government pressure to rush to cut interest rates.Magyar said he’s seeking to ensure a swift transition of power, mentioning some future cabinet members, including Andras Karman, a former banking executive who’s slated to become finance minister.While President Tamas Sulyok has 30 days to convene the next legislature, he should do so as soon as possible after elections results are certified, Magyar said. After which he should quit, he said. Otherwise Magyar said he’ll find a way to dismiss him.Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.