French President Emmanuel Macron will join foreign leaders in Budapest for Hungary’s 23 October commemorations, Prime Minister Péter Magyar has announced. The government is planning a full day of events across the country, with major programmes in the capital, a special performance at the Hungarian State Opera and a reception for visiting dignitaries.
French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Hungary on 23 October to attend the commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence, Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced in an interview with independent Hungarian outlet Partizán on Tuesday.
Several other foreign heads of state and government, as well as parliamentary speakers, are also expected to attend the events. Magyar said he would welcome the visiting dignitaries at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest as part of the celebrations.
“French President Emmanuel Macron will be here, as will EU leaders and leaders from neighbouring countries and even the Balkan states,” the prime minister said.
Hungary plans a full day of events for 23 October
Magyar promised a different kind of national commemoration this year, with events extending beyond the traditional wreath-laying ceremonies and flag-raising. The programme will include activities both in Budapest and elsewhere in the country, with several locations in the capital hosting events throughout the day.
These include Kossuth Square, Andrássy Avenue, the Danube embankment and Bem Square. A major gathering is planned for Kossuth Square, followed by a gala performance at the Hungarian State Opera. The prime minister said he would then host the invited heads of state and government and parliamentary speakers at the Museum of Fine Arts.
The anniversary marks seven decades since the 1956 uprising against Soviet rule, which began on 23 October and became one of the defining events in modern Hungarian history.
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Israeli President Herzog to visit, but Netanyahu will not attend
Magyar also addressed the expected Israeli presence during the commemorations. Israeli President Isaac Herzog is due to visit Hungary a few days before 23 October, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend the anniversary events, Magyar said.
Tisza has not decided whether to support the new chief prosecutor nominee
During the Partizán interview, Magyar was also asked whether his Tisza Party would support Péter Fejes, the candidate nominated by President András Baka for Hungary’s chief prosecutor. Magyar said the party’s parliamentary group had not yet discussed the nomination and still needed to gather information about Fejes, who was put forward on Monday.
He acknowledged that Fejes had worked under former chief prosecutor Péter Polt, but argued that this was true of almost every prosecutor. The Tisza Party had previously announced on the day of the nomination that it could not support Baka’s earlier candidate, Zoltán Szathmáry. It has not made a similar declaration regarding Fejes so far.
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Magyar comments on press access to Parliament
The prime minister was also asked about the decision to deny Partizán access to Parliament earlier in October. The broadcaster was reportedly refused entry because its website did not publish news articles and therefore did not meet the relevant legal definition of a press outlet.
Partizán has since begun publishing news on its website but continues to oppose the regulation. Magyar said he had reservations about the rules but stressed that Parliament was a separate branch of power and that his government did not interfere in its decisions on access.
He also noted that more journalists were present in Parliament than ever before, according to his assessment. Magyar added that Partizán would be the first Hungarian media outlet to take a seat in the prime minister’s office.