Strategic move by Magyar as he picks chess prodigy for president
Hungarian leader Péter Magyar has announced plans to nominate chess legend Judit Polgár for the largely ceremonial role of president. This move follows a contentious political struggle to remove the incumbent president, who is viewed as an ally of the previous administration.
Why it matters
The appointment reflects a significant shift in Hungarian politics as the new administration attempts to consolidate power and distance itself from the legacy of Viktor Orbán.
Judit Polgar is interviewed in 2017. As a teenager she checkmated the sexist establishment./Getty Judit Polgar is interviewed in 2017. As a teenager she checkmated the sexist establishment./Getty Péter Magyar Strategic move by Magyar as he picks chess prodigy for president Judit Polgár to discuss role with prime minister, who says Hungary needs someone the whole nation is proud of
Prefer the Guardian on Google Hungary’s prime minister, Péter Magyar, has announced plans to ask Judit Polgár, widely considered the greatest female chess player of all time , to take on the largely ceremonial role of president.
Magyar said he would meet Polgár on Monday to discuss the matter. “Our country needs unity, peace and a president that all Hungarians can be proud of,” he wrote on social media. “Judit Polgár’s name has been synonymous with talent and perseverance for decades.”
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