©picture alliance / teutopress | -
For the time being, Hungary will not have a “chess master” as a resident of the presidential palace. World-renowned grandmaster Judit Polgár has declined Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s offer to assume the largely ceremonial presidency.
Polgár said on Facebook that she is grateful for the invitation, but “does not feel strong enough” to shoulder the historic responsibility of uniting a divided country. “I cannot accept the invitation,” she wrote, while emphasizing that she appreciates that Magyar is putting forward an independent, non-partisan candidate. Magyar had publicly nominated Polgár on Sunday as a possible successor to President Tamás Sulyok, who stepped down after parliament approved a constitutional amendment. The ruling Tisza party holds a two-thirds majority and pushed the amendment through last week, despite criticism from human rights organizations that described the rushed procedure as “reminiscent of the Fidesz era.” Human Rights Watch called it a hasty constitutional maneuver to force the president out of office.
The search continues
The search for a new president is part of Magyar’s broader effort to roll back Viktor Orbán’s power structures. Since his election victory in April, he has been trying to dismantle public media and other institutions entrenched by Orbán. Sulyok’s departure now paves the way for a new appointment, but finding a successor is proving more difficult than expected.
Polgár, who turns 50 later this month, is an icon in the chess world. She became a grandmaster at age 15, remained the highest-ranked female player in the world for years, and is the only woman ever to break the 2700 Elo barrier. During her career, she defeated several world-class players, including Garry Kasparov. Although her name had been nominated by sixteen prominent Hungarians, including Rubik’s Cube inventor Ernő Rubik, Polgár has ultimately declined the offer. Magyar must now search for a new candidate who has sufficient authority but can also rise above the political fray.
©picture alliance / teutopress | - The photo shows Judit Polgár at a chess tournament in 1997.