Hungary’s ruling party backs chess legend Judit Polgar for President
Hungary's ruling Tisza party has unanimously backed chess legend Judit Polgar for the role of President. Prime Minister Peter Magyar aims to appoint her as part of a broader effort to reform the constitution and move away from the previous administration's policies.
Why it matters
The nomination of a non-political figure like Polgar signals a significant shift in Hungarian political strategy and constitutional reform.
The lawmakers of Hungary’s ruling Tisza party unanimously support chess legend Judit Polgar for president and will make afinal decision about the nomination at their next meeting, the parliamentary group’s leader Andrea Bujdoso said on Monday (July 20, 2026).
Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on Sunday (July 19, 2026) that he would ask Ms. Polgar, widely regarded as the greatest ever female chess player, to take up the largely ceremonial role of President until a new constitution is passed.
On Saturday (July 18, 2026), Tamas Sulyok signed a constitutional amendment passed by Tisza that ended his term as president.
Electing a new President and drafting a new constitution are key elements of Mr. Magyar’s drive to dismantle former premier Viktor Orban’s bastions of power, for which Magyar says he received a strong mandate from voters.
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