Péter Magyar and Markus Söder Meet to Revive Hungary-Bavaria Ties

It has been eight years since the two regions last held a prime ministerial meeting. The visit marks a deliberate effort to thaw relations that had grown cold under the previous Hungarian administration. This diplomatic reset began following the April 12 elections, when Söder congratulated Péter Magyar via telephone and the two leaders agreed to a personal meeting to strengthen bilateral bonds.

Bavarian Economic Interests and the Automotive Sector

The economic stakes are significant. Bavaria is Hungary’s largest German state trading partner, with total trade exceeding 18 milliárd eurót in 2023. Major Bavarian firms including BMW, Audi, Siemens, and Knorr-Bremse operate in Hungary, supporting an established local supplier network.

A critical point of discussion involves the future of the internal combustion engine. Söder is negotiating with the Hungarian government to save these engines, despite an existing agreement among EU member states to phase out their production by 2035.

Anita Orbán, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the two entities are partners rather than rivals. Speaking at a summer session of the CSU Bundestag group—the first time a Hungarian politician has been invited since 2018—she suggested that improved political ties could lead to deeper economic cooperation and new investments.

Diplomatic Shifts and the CSU-Tisza Connection

The political alignment has shifted significantly. The CSU and the Tisza Party are both members of the European People’s Party (EPP), where the seven Tisza Party MEPs now hold seats. This is a departure from the previous era; while Fidesz was part of the party family until 2021, the political relationship between the CSU and the former Hungarian government had deteriorated.

Söder’s previous approach was characterized by a visible distance from the former administration. In 2019, he notably omitted Hungary from his Central and Eastern European tour and criticized Viktor Orbán’s policies. He also stopped the practice of inviting the former Hungarian prime minister to his party’s usual consultations, a move that contrasted with the actions of his predecessor, Horst Seehofer.

The current visit is part of a broader diplomatic “speed date” for Söder. Following his time in Budapest, he is scheduled to travel to Greece to deepen existing ties and to Moldova to establish new relationships.

Joint Government Committee and Academic Goals

Beyond trade, the leaders are pursuing institutionalized cooperation. Söder has expressed a desire to revive a joint government committee.

The agenda also includes expanding cooperation between Hungarian and Bavarian universities, aiming to move beyond purely commercial interests.

Legal Challenges Facing Péter Magyar

While managing international diplomacy, the Prime Minister faces domestic and international legal scrutiny. The Hungarian Parliament’s immunity committee is currently considering a motion from the Budapest Central District Court regarding the possible suspension of his parliamentary immunity.

This follows a series of immunity challenges in the European Parliament. The most serious allegation involves a June 2024 incident at a Budapest entertainment venue, where the Chief Prosecutor alleged that Magyar took a mobile phone from an individual and threw it into the Danube, leading to proceedings on suspicion of theft. Other proceedings involve defamation claims initiated by Simonka György and the Mi Hazánk Movement.

Ildikó Tóth, an investor known from the show Among the Sharks, recently expressed her admiration for Magyar’s parliamentary speeches and indicated her support for the Tisza Party.

The outcome of the immunity committee’s deliberations remains a key point of uncertainty for the Prime Minister’s legal standing, while the results of the talks with Söder will likely be detailed in a joint press conference following the conclusion of the visit.