Hungary's prime minister-elect, Péter Magyar, emerged from high-level talks in Brussels on Wednesday with a pledge that frozen European Union funds would soon begin flowing to Budapest. The meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was the first direct encounter between the two since Magyar's decisive election victory on 12 April.
Magyar described the discussions as 'highly constructive and productive' in a social media post, calling for rapid progress on unlocking billions of euros that have been withheld due to concerns over corruption and rule-of-law standards under the previous administration of Viktor Orbán. 'EU funds will soon start arriving in Hungary,' Magyar wrote, though he stressed that the money would not come at the expense of Hungary's national interest.
A Race Against the August Deadline
Hungary faces a tight deadline: unless a deal is secured before August, the country risks losing approximately €10 billion in post-pandemic recovery funds intended to support its economy. These funds are part of the EU's NextGenerationEU programme, which requires member states to implement reforms in areas such as judicial independence and anti-corruption measures.
Magyar is also seeking approval for Hungary's large-scale defence plan, known as SAFE, which would be financed through low-interest European loans issued by the European Commission worth around €16 billion. Brussels had held back on a decision pending the outcome of the general election, making Hungary the only EU member state still awaiting a green light for its defence plan.
In a separate statement, von der Leyen said the two had discussed 'the steps necessary to unlock EU funds earmarked for Hungary' and struck a notably warmer tone than during her frequent clashes with Orbán. 'The Commission will support your efforts to address these issues and realign with shared European values,' she said. 'For a prosperous Hungary at the heart of our shared European home.'
Magyar is scheduled to return to Brussels for an official visit on 25 May, once he formally takes office. His comments highlight the delicate balancing act he must perform: aligning with EU institutions to unlock the billions needed to revive Hungary's economy, while also presenting himself as an independent leader capable of making his own decisions—a sharp contrast to the years of strained relations between Budapest and Brussels under Orbán.
The incoming prime minister's approach has already drawn attention beyond Hungary. In a related development, Magyar has proposed a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in June to reset bilateral ties, signalling a potential shift in foreign policy. For more on that story, see Hungary's Incoming PM Péter Magyar Proposes June Meeting with Zelenskyy to Reset Ties.
Meanwhile, misinformation campaigns have targeted Magyar since his election victory, as detailed in Misinformation Targets Hungary's Péter Magyar Despite Election Victory. The new government is also scrutinising Orbán-era defence plans for corruption risks, a topic covered in Hungary's New Government Scrutinises Orbán-Era Defence Plan for Corruption Risks.
The outcome of Magyar's negotiations with Brussels will be closely watched across the continent, as it tests whether a new generation of leaders can rebuild trust between member states and EU institutions after years of acrimony.
