Merz receives Hungary's new head of government Magyar in Berlin and offers support

Magyar, for his part, promised that Hungary would be an "honest and reliable partner" in Europe in the future. At the same time, he qualified: "Of course, we will not always agree. But we will not veto just on principle." He added: "I believe in negotiations." Expectations in Brussels and several EU capitals are high that Budapest will abandon its blocking stance on Ukraine policy under the new head of government.

Ukraine course and minority rights in focus

Under Orban, who had ruled the country for 16 years, Hungary had blocked numerous important EU decisions with its veto power. Most recently, Budapest held up the release of a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine. EU accession negotiations with Kyiv were also on hold. In Berlin, Magyar held out the prospect of a swift solution: "We hope that we can conclude the technical discussions this week," he said, referring to the rights of the Hungarian minority in the western Ukrainian region of Transcarpathia.

According to Hungary, up to 100,000 ethnic Hungarians live in this region. Magyar made the resumption of EU accession talks with Ukraine conditional on the rights of this minority not being curtailed. At the same time, he emphasized his readiness for a new beginning in bilateral relations: "We are ready to open a new chapter in Hungarian-Ukrainian relations." However, he made it clear that even under his government, Hungary would not send weapons or soldiers to Ukraine.

Domestic political break: Criticism of President Sulyok

Magyar was sworn in as Prime Minister at the beginning of May, after his Tisza Party had won a clear two-thirds majority against Orban in the April parliamentary elections. He announced a comprehensive "system change." Orban had built a semi-authoritarian system in recent years and hollowed out democratic institutions by appointing loyal officials to key positions – including the office of the President.

Magyar also used his visit to Berlin for sharp criticism of Hungary's President Tamas Sulyok. He called him an "Orban puppet" and accused him of failing to fulfill his duties in the two years since taking office. Magyar called on Sulyok to resign by May 31, threatening constitutional removal otherwise. This process illustrates how profoundly the announced upheaval is changing Hungarian domestic politics.

Economic issues and invitation to Budapest

According to government circles, Merz and Magyar also discussed economic and energy policy issues, as well as further support for Ukraine. Magyar invited the Chancellor and the Federal Government for a return visit to Budapest. Regarding the meeting at the Chancellery, sources in the German government stated that they wanted to "actively support the new beginning in Budapest" and win Hungary back as a reliable partner in the European Union.

The change of power in Budapest is seen as a glimmer of hope in many European capitals. In Brussels, Berlin, and several Western European capitals, expectations are pinned on the Magyar government that Hungary will participate more constructively in the EU in the future. Observers view the inaugural visit to Berlin – after stops in Warsaw, Vienna, and Brussels – as a sign that Magyar is deliberately addressing the axis of European capitals to reintegrate Hungary more strongly into European cooperation.