The Hungary reset: Magyar in Brussels chasing EU funds

Brussels Playbook Podcast

POLITICO

News, News Commentary, Politics

4.4 • 202 Ratings

🗓️ 29 April 2026

⏱️ 14 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The power shift in Budapest hasn’t happened yet — but Brussels is already engaging with what comes next. Péter Magyar arrives in Brussels as Hungary’s incoming prime minister, skipping the usual waiting period and heading straight into talks with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. His aim: unlocking billions in EU funds frozen over rule-of-law concerns. Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton walk through the early reset between Budapest and Brussels — and the risks that come with moving this fast. In the European Parliament, MEPs debate how Russia is quietly edging back into global sports and cultural life. From the Olympics to the Venice Biennale, restrictions are softening — raising questions about what “neutral” participation really means during a war. Finally, a new snapshot of climate change’s effect on Europe. A major scientific assessment finds almost the entire continent saw above-average temperatures last year, alongside heatwaves, drought and wildfires. Scientists warn a new El Niño could push extremes even further — and sooner than expected. If you have questions or comments — contact us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:19.1	Visit Medexpress.com.comUk slash podcast to get started today.
0:23.3	Good morning. It's Wednesday, April 29, and this is the Brussels Playbook podcast.
0:34.3	The vibe in Brussels today is fast-tracked as Peter Maggiar, the incoming Hungarian Prime Minister,
0:40.1	is rushing into town in a bid to unblock frozen EU funding.
0:45.6	Also on the pod, the European Parliament will debate the danger of normalising Russia's participation
0:50.8	in sports and cultural events.
0:53.3	And finally, the EU is releasing its annual assessment of the continent's climate. And summarized in two words, it's hot. Sweltering. Absolutely. I can attest to that sitting at the window in my Brussels office. I thought I was going to die, Sarah. But fortunately, you have persisted. I'm Zora Shiftonlovich, and with me today as
1:12.6	Policy Editor Sarah Wheaton. Hey, Sarah. Good to be back with you, Zoya. Let's get straight into it.
1:19.4	The incoming Hungarian Prime Minister, Peter Magia, he is in Brussels today, and he's going to be
1:24.5	meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president,
1:27.7	and that's before he's even been sworn in, Sarah.
1:30.0	Yeah, I mean, the guy is not wasting any time, and he's got a deadline.
1:35.3	Look, he needs to unlock around 17 billion euros in frozen EU funds.
1:40.3	Of that, about 10 billion in COVID recovery money.
1:43.5	And that expires on August 31st.
1:46.1	Summer feels far away still.
1:47.7	And yet.
1:48.5	Well, he's got a lot of work to do.
1:50.6	He needs to undo 16 years of Victor Or Barnes, kind of messing around with Hungary's democracy,
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