EU Delegation Arrives in Budapest for Critical Reset Talks
European Union officials have arrived in Budapest for high-stakes negotiations aimed at reshaping the bloc's strained relationship with Hungary, just weeks before the new government takes office. The visit comes as departing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán admitted in his first post-election interview that a "political era has ended" while suggesting he would remain as leader of his Fidesz party.
Orbán Concedes Defeat and Takes Responsibility
Speaking to the pro-government outlet Patrióta, Orbán described Sunday's election as an "emotional rollercoaster" after the opposition Tisza party secured a landslide victory, ending his 16-year tenure. Péter Magyar's party won a supermajority, granting it constitutional amendment powers and the ability to potentially dismantle key elements of Orbán's "illiberal democracy" project.
The scope of the electoral loss has raised questions about Orbán's political future, given his decades-long career marked by systematic efforts since 2010 to erode institutional checks and balances. These included rewriting election laws to benefit his party, placing loyalists in control of approximately 80% of Hungary's media, and restructuring the country's judiciary.
Speaking late on Thursday, Orbán acknowledged that his rightwing populist Fidesz party requires "complete renewal." When asked about responsibility for the defeat, he stated unequivocally: "Well, as I am the president of the party ... I must take 100% of this responsibility upon myself." He added that Fidesz would vote on new leadership in June, noting that "it will not be me who decides what I should do."
Urgent EU Negotiations Under Time Pressure
The EU delegation's arrival in Budapest represents what many observers see as a critical reset opportunity for both parties. For the European Union, the visit offers a chance to move beyond Orbán's contentious tenure and persuade Hungary to lift its veto on a €90 billion loan package to Ukraine. Meanwhile, incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar is urgently working to unlock approximately €17 billion in frozen EU funds.
Time constraints loom over the negotiations. "The clock is ticking for a number of topics," explained EU Commission chief spokesperson Paula Pinho on Thursday, justifying why officials traveled to Budapest before Magyar assumes office in early May. "Obviously it is in the interest of Hungary, it is in the interest of the EU that we make progress as soon as possible ... and that we do not waste any time."
The frozen funds include nearly €17 billion from the EU budget, with €10 billion set to expire at the end of August. These funds require Hungary to implement specific conditions related to corruption checks, asylum rights, and academic freedom. Additionally, more than €16 billion in low-interest defense loans could become available.
Navigating Political Transition and Institutional Constraints
Orbán's government confirmed that the outgoing leader would not attend his final EU summit next week, avoiding a potential confrontation over his continued veto of Ukraine aid. During Friday's talks, Magyar and Tisza will likely face competing pressures between campaign promises, EU demands, and institutional constraints established during Fidesz's 16-year rule.
"Tisza has to cut this Gordian knot somehow, which will not necessarily be very easy," said Péter Krekó, director of the Budapest-based Political Capital thinktank. Since 2010, Orbán and his party have systematically placed loyalists throughout Hungary's state institutions, media, and judiciary, creating uncertainty about how these structures will respond to changes implemented by a Tisza-led government.
Despite these challenges, Krekó noted significant willingness from both the EU and Tisza to find solutions. "The EU funds will be desperately needed so that Tisza can deliver at least on some of their promises," he explained, while the EU recognizes that failure could mean returning to the "obstructive and destructive" relationship it experienced with Orbán. "I think the political will is definitely there to have the new government deliver so that Orbán does not return to power."
Magyar's "Regime Change" Agenda Takes Shape
In the days following Sunday's election, Magyar has reinforced his "regime change" message through concrete actions and statements demonstrating his intention to break from Hungary's recent past. He has called for the resignation of the country's two highest courts, audit office, competition and media authorities, as well as the chief prosecutor and Hungary's president, describing them as "puppets" of the former regime.
In a Wednesday interview with state-run news outlets, Magyar vowed to suspend their news coverage, accusing them of spreading fear, lies, and propaganda comparable to North Korea and Nazi-era Germany. The following day, he announced on social media that he would not occupy Orbán's office in the historic Castle Quarter overlooking Budapest and the Danube River, instead establishing his operations in a ministry building near Hungary's parliament.
Magyar has reiterated campaign pledges to impose term limits on prime ministers—a measure that could prevent Orbán from returning to power—while promising to pursue those who had "plundered, looted, betrayed, indebted and ruined" the country.
Orbán Reflects on Election Outcome
On Thursday, Orbán expressed feeling "pain and emptiness" as the election results became clear. "Even I thought we were going to win. There were so many of us everywhere." However, he emphasized that Fidesz maintains substantial support, having received nearly 2.4 million votes in a country of 9.5 million people. "Let's not act like the whole country rejected our government," Orbán stated, highlighting the continued political divisions within Hungary.
