Declines to be president of Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has announced his intention to nominate chess grandmaster Judit Polgár as the country's next president, following the departure of Tamas Sulyok. Magyar expressed his hope that Polgár, who has no prior political experience, would accept the nomination.

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honor me by accepting the nomination

However, Polgár has publicly declined the offer, stating on social media that she does not possess the necessary strength to undertake such a significant and historic responsibility. She added that she is not capable of accepting the role of uniting a divided nation.

The presidency became vacant after Tamas Sulyok, an associate of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, was removed by parliament when Orbán's government resigned in April. In Hungary, the president is elected by the parliament, where Magyar's Tisza party holds a two-thirds majority.

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I do not feel I have the strength to take such a big and historic responsibility to unite a divided nation. I am not capable of accepting it.

Magyar praised Polgár, describing her name as synonymous with talent and perseverance for decades. He noted her record of topping the women's world chess ranking for 26 consecutive years and her status as one of the greatest chess players of all time. Polgár, a multiple Olympic chess gold medalist, retired as an active player in 2014 but has continued to promote the sport.

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Judit Polgár's name has been synonymous with talent and perseverance for decades.