Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar is set to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for informal talks in Brussels on Wednesday.
It comes as he pushes to restart Hungary’s ties with the EU, which suffered a major setback during Viktor Orbán’s tenure.
What to expect from a Magyar visit to Brussels?
Magyar is trying to persuade the bloc to unlock about €18 billion ($21 billion) in funding that was blocked under his predecessor due to rule-of-law concerns.
“There is no time to waste,” Magyar said in a statement.
When Magyar’s government takes office next month, it will have only until the end of August to try to secure the remaining €10 billion from the EU’s pandemic recovery fund or lose them forever.
Magyar had previously outlined four key areas where his Cabinet would pursue reforms to lay claim to EU cash:
- Anti-corruption measures, which would include joining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office
- Restoring and strengthening the independence of the judiciary
- Restoring media and academic freedom
- Resetting EU relations and economic policy
Hungary’s post-Orban EU reset
Orban – a close ally of Russia and US President Donald Trump – has had a strained relationship with the EU, marked by disputes over the rule of law in Hungary, its policy of vetoing unanimous EU decisions and most recently the country’s decision to block a €90 billion Ukraine loan package.
On 12 April, Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party won a landslide victory, ending Orbán’s 16-year rule.
EU leaders welcomed Magyar’s election victory.
“The heart of Europe is beating strong in Hungary tonight,” von der Leyen said on the night of the highly anticipated vote.
He further said that Magyar’s victory had made the bloc “stronger, more united”.
Magyar is scheduled to take office next month. However, his team has already held two rounds of talks with high-ranking EU officials.
On Wednesday, Magyar will also meet European Council head Antonio Costa, who earlier said he looked forward to “close” cooperation with the new leader.
EU wants new Hungarian policy towards Ukraine
EU leaders also hope Magyar’s victory will herald a new Hungarian approach on Ukraine.
Last week, the EU approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, as well as a new package of sanctions on Russia that have stymied Budapest for months.
The bloc’s counterparts would like to see Hungary free up EU funds to be used for poor Kiev under Magyar that have been stuck for years. They also hope he will override Orbán’s veto to prevent Ukraine from moving forward on the next step in its efforts to join the EU.
On Tuesday, Magyar announced he would begin meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in early June.
He proposed that the meeting be held in the city of Berekhov in western Ukraine – a region that borders Hungary and is home to about 80,000 ethnic Hungarians.
Edited by: Alex Berry