Judit Polgar declines Hungary president nomination from PM Peter Magyar
Chess legend Judit Polgar rejects Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s offer to become Hungary’s next president, saying she is not prepared to shoulder the responsibility of uniting the nation.
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BUDAPEST: Chess icon Judit Polgar has turned down Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s offer to become the country’s next president, saying she does not have the strength to take on the “historic responsibility” of leading a deeply divided nation.
The former world No. 1 female chess player announced her decision on social media on Monday, ending speculation that she would enter politics after Magyar nominated her as a non-partisan candidate to help usher in a new political era following the removal of former President Tamas Sulyok.
“I do not feel I have the strength to take on the historic responsibility of uniting a divided nation, and so I am unable to accept the invitation,” Polgar wrote.
She added that she would continue supporting the selection of “a new, independent, and respected President of the Republic” who could help unite Hungarians.
Peter Magyar respects Polgar’s decision
Magyar, leader of the governing Tisza Party, said he respected Polgar’s choice despite expressing disappointment.
“I regret her decision, but I respect it,” he said in a statement posted on social media.
The prime minister had nominated Polgar on Sunday as a respected public figure outside politics, describing her as someone “all Hungarians can be proud of.”
However, the nomination quickly sparked criticism because Magyar had previously promised to hold a public consultation before naming a presidential candidate.
Following the backlash, Magyar apologised for what he called “communication mistakes” but insisted the Tisza Party had invited recommendations from the public before selecting Polgar.
Analysts say rejection may benefit government
Political analyst Szabolcs Pek of the Iranytu Institute said Polgar’s refusal could ultimately work in Magyar’s favour.
According to Pek, the decision gives the government another opportunity to involve supporters in choosing a consensus candidate while avoiding controversy over the nomination process.
Magyar confirmed that the Tisza Party would meet several times this week before announcing its next presidential nominee.
Under Hungary’s political system, parliament elects the president. With the Tisza Party holding a two-thirds majority, its nominee is expected to have a strong chance of securing the position.
Why Judit Polgar was chosen
Widely regarded as the greatest female chess player in history, Polgar remained the world’s highest-ranked woman for 25 years before retiring from competitive chess in 2014.
She is still the only woman ever to break into the world’s overall top 10 rankings and famously defeated several male world champions, including Garry Kasparov, during her career.
Since retiring, Polgar has focused on education and promoting chess among children while continuing to advocate for greater equality in the sport.
Her name emerged as a presidential contender after an open letter signed by 16 prominent Hungarians, including Rubik’s Cube inventor Erno Rubik, called for her nomination.
Political tensions continue in Hungary
Polgar’s nomination came shortly after parliament approved a constitutional amendment removing President Tamas Sulyok from office.
Sulyok criticised the amendment as damaging Hungary’s democratic rule of law but signed it, saying he had no constitutional mechanism to block the decision.
Magyar has accused Sulyok and other senior officials of acting as loyalists of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, while rights organisations have criticised the constitutional changes as resembling practices from the Orban era.
Until a new president is elected, Parliament Speaker Agnes Forsthoffer will serve as Hungary’s acting head of state.
