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Hungarian PM names chess champion Judit Polgár as presidential nominee
Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced on Facebook that he will ask world‑renowned chess grandmaster Judit Polgár to serve as Hungary’s next head of state. The proposal comes a day after President Tamás Sulyok signed a constitutional amendment that ends his own term, creating a vacancy to be filled by the parliament within 30 days. Interim presidential duties will be exercised by parliamentary speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer.
Magyar said Polgár, who led the women’s world chess rankings for 26 years, has been in the top ten of the absolute global list, won five Chess Olympiad gold medals and was honoured with the Order of Saint Stephen. He framed her as a symbol of unity, talent and perseverance, noting that “the presidency is the highest form of service”. The nomination sparked a debate over the lack of prior consultation and the suitability of a non‑political figure for the role. Polgár later declined the offer, thanking Magyar for the honor but stating she did not feel she had the strength to assume the historic responsibility.