Hungary’s incoming leader, Péter Magyar, has pledged a programme of anti-corruption reforms, media restructuring and academic freedoms in a bid to unblock billions of euros in frozen EU funding, while signalling the country’s continued reliance on Russian oil supplies.
€22 bn EU funds at stake amid reform commitments
Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party which won Hungary’s parliamentary elections, has said he is prepared to introduce anti-corruption measures and overhaul the media landscape in order to secure the release of €22bn in EU funds.
Magyar said he had discussed four key conditions for unlocking the financing with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. These include adopting anti-corruption reforms, suspending the operation of state-run news media, restoring academic freedom, and ensuring Hungary’s interests are represented across international platforms.
He added that Hungary would join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and establish specialised bodies to tackle corruption. “Yesterday I spoke for the last time with the president of the European Commission… I will once again outline the four conditions,” Magyar said in an interview with Kossuth Radio.
“The first condition is that we will adopt anti-corruption measures, and Hungary will join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. We will set up a National Authority for Asset Recovery and Protection, as well as another body to combat corruption across the public sector.”
Magyar also said that, following the formation of a new government, the news service of public broadcasters would be suspended. He added that steps would be taken to restore academic freedom, fulfilling another of the EU’s conditions. Under these terms, Hungary would be able to “bring home” HUF 8,000bn, equivalent to around €22bn at current exchange rates.
Energy reality: Continued reliance on Russian oil supplies
At the same time, Magyar stressed the critical importance of Russian oil supplies delivered via the Druzhba pipeline, saying Hungary is not currently in a position to refuse from them due to geographical and logistical constraints.
“This is extremely important, and Hungary simply cannot abandon it at present. Even if it wanted to, it would be entirely impossible from a geographical standpoint. Russia will remain where it is, and so will Hungary,” he said in the radio interview.
Ukraine talks and Druzhba pipeline uncertainty
He also expressed hope that Ukraine would fulfil its pledge to restore the pipeline’s operation by the end of April. Magyar noted that he had not yet discussed the issue with President Volodymyr Zelensky, adding that the current prime minister, Viktor Orbán, retains the authority to conduct such negotiations.
Magyar is expected to be elected prime minister at the first sitting of the new parliament in early May.
Hungary’s parliamentary elections were held on April 12. With 98.9% of votes counted, the Tisa party is projected to win 136 of the 199 seats, securing a constitutional majority. Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party is expected to take 57 seats, with final results due to be confirmed by the evening of April 18.
