Peter Magyar, leader of the TISZA party which won Hungary’s parliamentary elections, announced plans to suspend public media broadcasting and introduce new oversight.
Magyar Announces Media Reforms
Peter Magyar, leader of the TISZA party, reiterated his commitment to reforming Hungary’s public media landscape following his party’s victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections. He stated his government would halt public media broadcasts and establish new regulatory bodies.
Magyar last appeared on public media in September 2024, and his party reported he received no invitations to participate in broadcasts during the recent election campaign.
Criticism of Current Media Landscape
Magyar described Hungarian public media as a “propaganda medium” and stated that suspending its news broadcasts would be one of his government’s first actions. He emphasized this was not an act of revenge but a commitment to providing citizens with truthful information.
He highlighted the need for public media to deliver truth, noting his absence from public broadcasts for the past year and a half, requiring three million votes to regain access to the media space.
Call for Presidential Action and Allegations of Interference
Magyar also called on President Tamas Sulyok to convene the inaugural session of the National Assembly as soon as possible. He is scheduled to meet with the President on Wednesday.
Magyar further accused the outgoing authorities of destroying documents in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense, claiming to possess recordings as evidence.
Election Results and Parliamentary Composition
TISZA secured a constitutional majority in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, winning 133 seats in the 199-member National Assembly. With over 98% of votes counted, TISZA holds 136 seats, while the Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Viktor Orbán has 57, and the far-right Mi Hazank party has six.
A repeat vote is scheduled in one single-member constituency, and votes cast by mail and abroad are still being tallied.