A Hungarian investigation into allegations against Peter Magyar, the country’s newly elected Prime Minister, has been closed due to insufficient evidence, stemming from claims made by his former wife.
Investigation Triggered by Ex-Wife’s Claims
The investigation began in March 2024 following a complaint filed by Istvan Tenyi, based on statements made by Judit Varga during a televised interview. Varga described her marriage to Peter Magyar as deeply turbulent, alleging he once locked her in a room from which she escaped with the help of their child.
The complaint accused Magyar of unlawful deprivation of liberty and endangering a minor. Hungarian media reported that investigators dismissed the claims in both cases, citing a lack of sufficient evidence.
Case Referred to Prosecutor General
The case was subsequently referred to the Budapest General Prosecutor’s Office for further review. The final decision confirmed the absence of evidence supporting the allegations. Authorities also noted that Varga did not provide testimony during the investigation.
With no further procedural steps to clarify the matter and no evidence of a crime based on available information, the investigation was formally closed.
Allegations of False Reports Surrounding Magyar
This is not the only instance of unconfirmed information circulating about Peter Magyar. In April, a news portal accused Magyar of, among other things, killing a puppy in a microwave, citing a purported book by his ex-wife. Varga herself stated she had not written an autobiography.
Kaczyński’s Apology for “Baked Puppy” Remark
In mid-April, Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of Poland’s PiS party, was questioned by reporters about why he hadn’t congratulated Magyar on his election victory. Kaczyński characterized the victory as a symptom of “complete desensitization of European societies to facts, even the most drastic.”
When pressed for clarification, he referenced “what his wife describes, that he baked a puppy.” Kaczyński later apologized for the remark, stating it was based on “information circulating very intensely in the public sphere.”
Magyar’s Government Set to Be Sworn In
Peter Magyar led the TISZA party to victory in the April 12 elections, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule. The party secured 141 seats in the 199-member National Assembly, giving it a constitutional majority. The new government will be sworn in on May 9.
EU Funds and Discussions with Von der Leyen
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar will discuss on April 29 in Brussels the changes Budapest must implement to unlock €17 billion in EU funds, previously frozen due to rule of law concerns under the outgoing Orbán government.
Significant EU Funding at Stake
Hungary has lost access to approximately €17 billion, representing nearly 10% of the country’s annual GDP. €10 billion comes from the post-COVID-19 recovery fund, with a deadline for spending those funds expiring in August. The remaining €7 billion is from the EU’s seven-year budget allocated for regional development. The current EU multiannual financial framework ends in 2027.
