Hungary's PM Plans to Nominate Chess Champion Judit Polgár for President

Hungary's Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced his intention to nominate Judit Polgár, a world-renowned chess grandmaster, for the position of the country's president. Magyar expressed hope that Polgár would accept the nomination, aiming to have a new head of state in place before August 20.

Polgár, celebrated for her exceptional chess career during which she defeated world champions and maintained a top global ranking for 26 years, has never held a political office. Magyar's party, Tisza, which holds a two-thirds majority in parliament, supports the idea of a president free from political entanglements. "The position of the Tisza party is that a president free from the past and party politics would best represent the unity of Hungary," Magyar stated on Facebook.

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The position of the Tisza party is that a president free from the past and party politics would best represent the unity of Hungary.

This move follows the recent removal of Tamas Sulyok from the presidency. Sulyok, an ally of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, had his term cut short after signing a constitutional amendment on July 18 that allowed for the early termination of his mandate. Sulyok's original term was set to conclude in March 2029.

The Hungarian president's role is largely ceremonial, but the officeholder can refer parliamentary legislation to the Constitutional Court. With Tisza's parliamentary majority, Magyar's nomination is likely to be approved. Polgár, 49, has transitioned from her chess career to focus on education and equal opportunities through her foundation, making her a candidate distinct from traditional politicians.

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For decades Judit Polgar symbolized talent and perseverance. As the most decorated female chess player in history, she led the women's world ranking for 26 consecutive years and was simultaneously among the top ten chess players in the world.