Brussels, 29 April 2026 (dpa/MIA) - Hungary's future prime minister Peter Magyar held talks in Brussels on Wednesday over reforms needed for the EU to release frozen funds for his country. 

The elected successor to right-wing populist Viktor Orbán, who was voted out in the April 12 parliamentary election, met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. 

Magyar said on X he would come to Brussels again after May 25 to agree a roadmap after a "highly constructive and productive" meeting on Wednesday. 

Magyar's visit to Brussels ahead of his inauguration as prime minister on May 9 is unusual, as newly elected leaders normally visit the EU institutions in the Belgian capital once they are in office.

Roughly €17 billion ($19.9 billion) in EU funds earmarked for Hungary have been frozen due to what the EU sees as rule of law violations and democratic backsliding under Orbán.

The incoming government is under pressure to act quickly.

Of the blocked funds, around €10.4 billion is unpaid money from the EU's Covid-19 recovery fund, according to the commission.

The fund requires that reforms are implemented by August 31. Budapest risks losing funding if no solution is found.

Von der Leyen described the meeting as "very good" and added: "The EU Commission will support your work to address these issues and realign with shared European values. Our teams will continue to work closely together."

Photo: EPA