Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said he will nominate chess legend Judit Polgár for the presidency after parliament removed Tamas Sulyok. Magyar plans to meet the 49-year-old and asked her to accept "the great honour" of his nomination. Polgár, who led the women's world rankings for 26 years and won multiple Chess Olympiad golds, retired from top-level competition over a decade ago and now focuses on promoting chess and education through her foundation. She has no prior political experience; the president is elected by parliament where Magyar's party holds a two-thirds majority.
Hungary's Prime Minister To Nominate Chess Icon Judit Polgár For Presidency
FILE PHOTO - Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hold a joint press conference inside the Federal Chancellery in Berlin. (is associated with: «Hungary's Magyar to nominate chess great Judit Polgár for president») Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced on Sunday that he intends to nominate former chess prodigy and international star Judit Polgár for the country’s presidency after the post was vacated following the removal of Tamas Sulyok from office.
Magyar said on Facebook that he planned to meet the 49-year-old on Monday and asked her to accept what he called "the great honour" of his nomination for the presidency. The presidency became vacant after parliament voted to remove Sulyok, who has been described as a political ally of former prime minister Viktor Orbán, who was voted out of office in April.
What This Means
Under Hungary’s system the president is elected by parliament. Magyar’s Tisza party currently holds a two-thirds majority, meaning it would be well positioned to secure a parliamentary vote if Polgár accepts the nomination — though a formal candidacy still requires her agreement and the parliamentary process to run its course.
About Judit Polgár
Polgár is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of her generation. She led the women’s world rankings for 26 consecutive years and was ranked among the world’s top 10 players overall. A multiple Chess Olympiad gold medallist, she retired from top-level competitive chess more than a decade ago but remains an influential figure in the sport.
Through her foundation, Polgár promotes chess education and advocates for equal opportunities in learning. She has not previously held political office, and her potential move into a formal political role would mark a significant change for the celebrated sports figure.
Péter Magyar: "For decades, Judit Polgár's name has been synonymous with talent and perseverance."
The nomination — if accepted — would now proceed to the parliamentary election process. Observers note the symbolic significance of nominating a globally recognized cultural figure, even as the political dynamics in parliament will determine the outcome.
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