Hungarian PM nominates Judit Polgár for president

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced on Sunday, July 19, that he will nominate chess legend Judit Polgár to serve as the country's next president. The largely ceremonial role became vacant after President Tamás Sulyok signed a constitutional amendment ending his own term, part of a broader political overhaul following Magyar's electoral victory in April.

Magyar stated in a Facebook post that he would meet with Polgár on Monday, July 20, to formally ask if she would accept the nomination to serve until a planned new constitution is adopted, or for a maximum of five years. He described the presidency as the highest form of service and expressed his belief that Polgár, a figure of global renown, could represent national unity. Polgár, 49, has not yet publicly commented on the offer.

The nomination marks a significant step in Prime Minister Magyar's efforts to reshape Hungary's leadership after his Tisza party's landslide election win, which ousted long-time leader Viktor Orbán. Magyar's party holds a two-thirds parliamentary majority, enabling it to change laws and elect a new president. The constitutional amendment signed by President Sulyok triggered the transition,...