Péter Magyar, Hungary’s new prime minister, will make his first official visit to Berlin just over three weeks after taking office and will be received by Chancellor Friedrich Merz with full military honours. Talks are expected to focus on European policy and support for Ukraine. Magyar’s centre-right Tisza Party won a two-thirds majority in April, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, and he has promised broad political reforms while re-engaging with EU and NATO partners.
Péter Magyar’s Berlin Debut: Hungary’s New PM Meets Chancellor Merz to Discuss EU Policy and Ukraine
FILE PHOTO - Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar speaks during a press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following their meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels. (is associated with: «Hungary's new PM Magyar makes inaugural visit to Berlin») Xavier Lejeune/EU Commission/dpa
Péter Magyar, Hungary’s newly appointed prime minister, will make his first official visit to Berlin on Tuesday, just over three weeks after taking office. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to receive him at the Chancellery at midday with full military honours, followed by bilateral talks and a joint press conference.
Agenda and Expectations
European policy and support for Ukraine are expected to dominate discussions. Both leaders are likely to address Hungary’s role within the European Union, commitments to democratic standards and the bloc’s coordinated response to the war in Ukraine.
Political Context
Magyar, 45, led the centre-right Tisza Party to a two-thirds parliamentary majority in April, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure as Hungary’s most powerful political figure. Orbán’s governments had faced persistent criticism from EU institutions over democratic backsliding and rule-of-law concerns; Magyar has pledged sweeping political reforms and a new direction for Budapest’s European relations.
Recent Diplomacy
Prior to Berlin, Magyar made early diplomatic trips to Poland and Austria and travelled to Brussels last week for talks with EU and NATO leaders, as well as representatives of the Belgian government. Those meetings signalled his intent to quickly re-engage with European partners and to reassure allies about Hungary’s policy trajectory.
What to watch: any concrete commitments on Ukraine aid, steps to align with EU rule-of-law expectations, and signals about future Hungary–EU cooperation.
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