Hungarian PM Péter Magyar expands Visegrád ties and confronts anti‑migration protests

Prime Minister Péter Magyar of Hungary has proposed inviting Germany to join the Visegrád Group and is seeking to broaden the format to include Austria, Croatia, Slovenia and Romania. He announced a summit of the V4 leaders in Budapest on 23 June, linked to unlocking EU funds for Hungary and ahead of Slovakia’s V4 presidency starting 1 July.

At the same time, Magyar faced large street protests in Budapest on 5 June, where thousands demonstrated against the EU’s upcoming migration pact. Demonstrators labeled the premier a “traitor” and accused him of betraying Hungary’s sovereignty. The protest turned contentious after Magyar appeared on a balcony, gesturing in a manner described by witnesses as vulgar and possibly spitting on the crowd, actions that have been portrayed as a staged media performance.