Hungary's New PM Visits Poland to Mend Ties, Rejoin Europe

The winds of change are blowing through Central Europe, and Hungary's new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, is making his first significant diplomatic move by visiting Warsaw. This visit is more than just a courtesy call; it's a deliberate effort to repair the damage done to Hungary's relationship with Poland by the previous Fidesz government under Viktor Orbán. The era of Hungary and Poland acting as a united, illiberal, and EU-skeptic bloc is over, and Magyar is signaling a clear shift back towards a pro-European alignment.

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Welcome back to Europe.

During the Orbán years, while both nations shared a critical stance towards Brussels, Hungary's increasingly pro-Russian leanings, especially after the invasion of Ukraine, created a rift with Poland's right-wing government. The election of Donald Tusk's pro-European government in Poland late last year brought relations to a new low. Tusk himself expressed the stark divergence, stating in October 2025 that "we think differently about everything," and directly criticizing Orbán's approach to democracy and the rule of law. Magyar's visit is a direct response to this diplomatic chill.

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I think I am even happier than you.

Adding to the tension was Hungary's decision to grant political asylum to former Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro and his deputy, both wanted in Poland on corruption charges. This move was seen as a provocative act by the outgoing Orbán administration. Now, as the new Hungarian Prime Minister, Magyar faces the challenge of rebuilding trust. Polish Foreign Ministry State Secretary Marcin Bosacki called the visit a "symbolic gesture" and emphasized its importance in demonstrating Hungary's commitment to friendship with Poland.

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Between us, everything is clear: we think differently about everything.

Sociologist Edit Zgut-Przibilska rightly points out that expectations are high on both sides. The "trust that was destroyed by the pro-Russian and decidedly anti-European policy of the former Hungarian government must be rebuilt." Magyar's itinerary, including meetings with Tusk, President Karol Navrocki, and Solidarity legend Lech Wałęsa, signifies his intention to engage with all facets of Polish society. This diplomatic reset is crucial not only for bilateral relations but also for Hungary's broader goal of rejoining the European mainstream and potentially unblocking frozen EU funds, a key objective after 16 years of Orbán's rule.

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Orbán does not suit democracy and a transparent legal system.