Péter Magyar said he will meet Judit Polgár on Monday to ask the chess grandmaster to serve as Hungary’s next president during the constitutional transition.
Tamás Sulyok’s mandate ended after a constitutional amendment, forcing parliament to elect a new head of state by secret ballot within 30 days.
Polgár has not responded publicly, but Magyar cast her as a nonpartisan unifier, citing her 26-year run as the world’s top-ranked female player and her place in the overall top 10.
An open letter from 16 prominent Hungarians — including Ernő Rubik and László Lovász — also urged parliament to back Polgár as a figure of unity and democratic integrity.
If nominated and elected, Polgár would serve until Hungary’s planned new constitution takes effect, or for a maximum of five years.
Is Hungary's new leader using his supermajority to restore democracy or simply to build his own?
Is nominating a chess grandmaster the final move needed to unlock billions in frozen EU funds?
Can a world chess champion's strategic mind heal a divided nation and redefine its presidency?
From Sulyok’s Ouster to Polgár’s Nomination: Inside Hungary’s 2026 Constitutional Shakeup
Overview
Hungary has undergone a major political shift, starting with the swift removal of President Tamás Sulyok after a constitutional amendment, followed by Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s public nomination of chess legend Judit Polgár as his successor. Since taking office in May 2026, Magyar’s administration has focused on reshaping the country’s political landscape, aiming to break from the previous government’s influence. The nomination of Polgár, a respected non-politician, highlights Magyar’s commitment to bringing new faces into leadership and signals a fresh direction for Hungary’s future.