UK could adopt EU single market rules under new legislation

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April 13, 2026

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The move has raised questions over parliamentary scrutiny of future rules to deliver planned EU deals.

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Hungarian election winner Magyar vows to rebuild EU relationship after stunning defeat of Viktor Orbán – Europe live | World news

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2 minutes ago

April 13, 2026

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Magyar pledges to lead constructive EU policy and seek compromises on tricky issues

After some 20 minutes, Magyar is turning towards foreign policy now.

He says the Hungarians are proud to be a part of the EU and Nato, even as he acknowledges some of the EU’s flaws with its networks of lobbies and interests.

“It’s a complicated bureaucratic, compromise-seeking … organisation,” he says.

But he insists “you can find compromises” that will work for Hungary.

“I am sure we will have debates … but we are not going there to fight for the sake of fighting so we can write on billboards that Brussels is evil and needs to be stopped,” he says in another swipe at Orbán.

Again: expect him to get asked about what these compromises on key issues – such as the rule of law, migration and Ukraine – could look like when we eventually get to Q&A.

Key events

Magyar then gets asked about Poland as he hails his special relationship with the Polish government and plans to make Warsaw his first foreign trip, hopefully in early May.

He jokes that he will want to meet with the country’s conversative president, Karol Nawrocki, too – even though he didn’t congratulate him on the win and appeared to support Orbán’s relection.

He also gets asked about two former Polish government ministers evading the Polish justice system in Budapest. He jokingly advises them not to buy too much furniture from Ikea and don’t get too comfortable in the capital.

He then also makes similar points about the importance of regional cooperation with Austria and other countries in CEE.

Jakub Krupa

For all the enthusiasm among Europe’s liberals and progressives in response to Tisza’s win last night, his comments on Russia will serve as a handy reminder that there still will be some fairly big issues in which Hungary will have a distinctively different view to the EU mainsteam.

That list is likely to include Russia, Ukraine, energy, and migration policies, among others.

Magyar says Hungary ‘cannot change geography’ on energy as he hints at removing sanctions against Russia if Ukraine war ends

Magyar turns to energy for a bit, and he says that Hungary “cannot change geography” and will need to figure out a way forward on energy imports, also from Russia.

He says:

Russia will be there, Hungary will be here. But we will try to diversity.

He adds that “that does not mean that we want to detach ourselves; but we want to buy oil at low prices securely.”

“But with the Druzhba pipeline, the Friendship oil pipeline and what’s happened there, we can see that it threatens Hungary’s energy supply; what’s happening in Tehran in Iran threatens our energy supply,” so Hungary will need to “diversity.”

But here comes the tricky bit.

He then says he is hopeful that the Russian aggression of Ukraine would end soon and “then immediately, Europe will lift the sanctions, because we are neighbours to Russia and it is not in Europe’s interests to buy raw materials at higher prices because that destroys our competitiveness.”

“I understand the moral issues … or principles, and I will protect human rights as much as possible, … but let’s not shoot ourselves in the leg,” he says.

Expect these comments to get some scrutiny as there is limited appetite for removing the sanctions or returning to normal energy imports from Russia.

Magyar gets now a question about his earlier comments about Szijjártó and his allegations (14:39) that the foreign minister is trying to get rid of some confidential documents ahead of the government change.

He doesn’t give away too much and merely says it comes from “an insider” at the ministry, with many officials turning to Tisza to blow the whistle on the outgoing government’s actions.

Magyar gets asked about his phone call with Orbán last night, in which the outgoing PM congratulated him on the election win.

He tells a story of how the call came about, via an earlier call from one of Orban’s closest aides Gergely Gulyás, his former friend from his time at Fidesz and the godfather of his son.

In a classic Millenial moment, he says he asked for the last four digits of Orbán’s phone number in return, because he otherwise doesn’t take phone calls from unknown numbers.

Fair enough.

Turns out it was a very short conversation, though.

Magyar promises two-term limit for PM, effectively blocking potential Orbán return

Magyar is now talking about his future government and top jobs, but says he won’t reveal the key names just yet.

But he talks about the structure of government more broadly.

Earlier he said he would like to introduce a two-term limit for the prime minister, and commit to it in the constitution.

He now says that it would also apply retrospectively, effectively banning Orbán – who served in the top role for 20 years in total – from becoming a prime minister ever again.

He then talks about his plans to deal with corruption and to end political interference in police and administrative procedures. He wants a new anti-corruption office, tasked with recovery of fraudulently spent money, to be up and running by June.

‘We will not take unlawful measures to restore rule of law,’ Magyar commits

Curiously, discussing the president’s future, Magyar makes it clear that despite the two-third majority in the new parliament, he will be careful about how he uses it and wouldn’t move

“We will not take unlawful measures to restore the rule of law that way,” he declares.

But he repeats that Sulyok should essentially be gone from office before the 70th anniversary of the 1956 revolution in October.

Magyar repeats call for president Sulyok to resign from office

Magyar repeats his call to get president Tamás Sulyok to step down from his office, as he calls him a “puppet” of Viktor Orbán.

“He was appointed to sign everything; every document that he is presented with – whether it’s the menu or the constitution or the laws – so we don’t need people like that. To me, he is not the president,” he says.

Magyar says the report about Szijjártó offers a hint at how difficult this transition from the Orbán era will be.

He says normally an incoming PM gets a national security briefing from the outgoing leader, but he does not expect to get one.

He alleges there are lots of legal documents that the Hungarian public or even he don’t know about, including on international obligations and loans overseas.

“We will have to get our hands on all of the documents that haven’t been shredded” to figure out the detail, he says.

He says his government will try to make them public whenever possible and not breaching confidentiality clauses to put more light on the dealings of the outgoing government.

And with that, we finally go into the Q&A.

In a nice touch, Magyar’s spokesperson gives the floor to independent Hungarian media first in recognition of their hard work under the previous government.

I will bring you slightly less detailed coverage of questions on domestic issues – he is currently discussing the value of holding open cabinet meetings – but fear not, I will bring you all the key lines on foreign affairs.

Hungarian foreign minister is destroying documents on EU sanctions, Magyar alleges

Oh, that’s explosive.

At one point during the press conference, Magyar got a piece of paper with a message on it which clearly disrupted his flow.

He pauses and tells reporters he has learned that the country’s foreign minister Péter Szijjártó, who recently attracted scrutiny over his ties with Russia, is reportedly at the ministry of foreign affairs “destroying documents that have to do with sanctions” against Russia.

“They are shredding documents, and that’s not going to help them – but this is just to give you some context about the situation in Hungary,” he says.

He compares it to attempts to destroy public record “just like in the old communist age.”

Magyar pledges to lead constructive EU policy and seek compromises on tricky issues

After some 20 minutes, Magyar is turning towards foreign policy now.

He says the Hungarians are proud to be a part of the EU and Nato, even as he acknowledges some of the EU’s flaws with its networks of lobbies and interests.

“It’s a complicated bureaucratic, compromise-seeking … organisation,” he says.

But he insists “you can find compromises” that will work for Hungary.

Again: expect him to get asked about what these compromises on key issues – such as the rule of law, migration and Ukraine – could look like when we eventually get to Q&A.

Magyar defends ‘good kind of populism’ as he urges EU leaders to reconnect with electorate

Magyar also makes a point to talk about how much time he spent on the campaign trail, meeting with ordinary people.

He says he gets asked about why his campaign was so successful, and says “the secret lies in that politics is about people, and this is what many politicians forgot.”

“I can see that many places in Europe, there are crises in government, one after the other. Mainstream politicians are frightened that extreme forces are gaining more and more ground and the party system is overturned in many European countries.

I can send a message, as I was asked personally by Western European politicians about the secret: you have to stay with the people. You have to put the work into it, whether you like it or not. I visited 700 towns and villages in two years. There are towns and villages some I visited seven times.

I was on Hungarian streets and squares more than in my own bed in my own flat. This meant that I met my three sons far less than I would have liked to.

We went around Hungary. I was there in the smallest settlements. I met many million people. I looked into the eyes of hundreds of 1000s of people. We shook our hands and we asked, How can we help? How can we prove that politics can be beautiful, it can be frank, it can be honest, it can be fair, and it can be useful.

Many people can say this is populism. If it is, it’s a good kind of populism, because this is what politics should be about, not politically correct talk, talk, but honesty, humanity.”

He then goes on to say that Facebook posts and social media frenzies will never replace that person-to-person element of politics.

Magyar says Hungary ‘stands for peace,’ criticises Orbán’s focus on foreign affairs

Magyar also pushes back on what he calls “lies” of the previous government, saying that the new government will also be committed to peace in Europe, despite scaremongering posters plastered all over Hungary and “Goebbels-like, North Korea-like propaganda” about his intentions towards Ukraine.

“In Hungary, nobody wants war. Hungary stands for peace. The Tisza government will be the government of peace,” he says.

I am sure he will get questions on what is specifically means for Hungary’s relations with Ukraine later.

He then takes a swipe at Orbán for being too focused on foreign affairs – with Russia, Ukraine, the US and Iran – and not on resolving domestic issues facing the electorate.

“He spoke about everything except issues, problems that affected the Hungarian people and the Hungarian people said no to all this,” he says.

Our history is not written in Brussels or in Washington, but on Hungarian streets, and in Hungarian squares.

Hungarians voted ‘not just for change of government, but of regime,’ Magyar says, as he recommits Hungary to EU

Magyar makes a point to stress that the electorate voted “not just for a change of government, but for a change of the regime” to move away from what he says are compromised institutions and structures of the Orbán era.

He also makes a point that his administration will make inevitably make mistakes, but will own them – and “our country will no longer be a country of no consequences.”

He also stresses his pro-EU message and notes it was particularly symbolic that the vote was held on the 23th anniversary of Hungary’s accession to the EU.

He says the electorate clearly voted to anchor Hungary firmly in the EU, “no matter what the outgoing … government was planning or trying to lead us to.”

Magyar urges Hungarian president to convene new parliament as soon as possible in early May

Magyar urges the Hungarian president to convene the new parliament at the earliest possible day after the election result becomes final on 4 May, even potentially the very next day, on 5 May.

He says there is no time to waste and the new administration is keen to get going as quickly as possibly.

“Hungary is in trouble in more than one ways. It’s been robbed, it’s been betrayed, it’s been indebted, it’s been devastated. We became the most impoverished and the most corrupt country in the EU,” he says.

Magyar opens by saying he has phone calls planned with other European leaders this afternoon and doesn’t want to keep them waiting so we need to get on with it.

And so the briefing gets under way.

He repeats his main lines from yesterday, saying that the Hungarian electorate “wrote history yesterday,” remarking on how much the result resonated around the world.

He says the only reason that Viktor Orban’s party got so many votes anyway was down to the entire state apparatus helping them in the election campaign.

Watch Magyar’s press conference live

You can watch Magyar’s press conference along with us below, and I will bring you the key lines here too.

Magyar addresses reporters after defeating Orban in election

Waiting for Péter Magyar press conference

Jakub Krupa

in Budapest

We are now waiting for Péter Magyar’s press conference at which he is expected to take some questions from the international media. It should get under way in the next half hour.

The conference will be hosted at a massive theatre-style venue, reflecting the incredible level of truly global interest in Hungary’s next prime minister – and the life after Viktor Orbán. This is not just any other election in the region.

Tisza’s staff are taking it very seriously too: as I type, they are… ironing the flags so they look absolutely spotless on stage – and, to be fair, they do look great!

Tisza staff put final touches to Hungary and EU flags behind the podium at which the party leader and presumed next prime minister of Hungary, Peter Magyar, is about to address international media. Photograph: Jakub Krupa/The Guardian

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UK News

Four teens arrested over fatal stabbing of boy, 16

Published

1 hour ago

April 13, 2026

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A large police presence is in place near a city shopping centre following the attack.

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UK News

Surrey v Leicestershire, Notts v Glamorgan, and more: county cricket, day four – live | County Championship

Published

2 hours ago

April 13, 2026

info@oxinfo.co.uk

Key events

Aha! time for some Mitch Stanley. Tall and strong, relaxed run up, urgent arms. Derbyshire 21-1, chasing 138. Came is tempted, but doesn’t get a touch. A maiden.

A third wicket for Notts this morning, as Ingram follows in the footsteps of Tribe and Carlson. Glamorgan 167 for five and urgently battening down every loose hatch.

Beyers Swanepoel cleared to play for Worcestershire

After his ill-advised early flight to New Road, Swanepoel has belatedly been given his No Objection Certificate by Cricket South Africa, and will play in Worcestershire’s next game against Kent at New Road. Nice gentle start there.

Beyers Swanepoel: cleared to play Photograph: Neil Marshall/ProSports/Shutterstock

Olly Hannon-Dalby, who came in as cover, took six wickets in the victory against Middlesex.

“Morning Tanya,” hello Mike Bennett!

“Another gloriously sunny day here in Hove, and a pretty decent crowd in to witness the denouement of this twisting and turning match.

“Sussex will fancy their chances from here, and you’d think Jack Leaning will be eyeing up his first ton in a Sussex shirt.

“He and Price both looked in good nick yesterday and sensibly shut up shop a little in the last hour to ensure that they reached today with two recognised batters at the crease and the best chance of knocking the runs off.

“It’s been an enjoyable few days and I’m happy to have been able to catch every day of a CC match in the flesh for the first time in many years (with a shoutout to Sussex CC for very reasonable ticket prices and free entry on days 3+4) – thanks again to you for the sterling reporting from the blog and catch you later in the season!”

Thank you Mike, it is so good to have an extra pair of eyes around the grounds. Leaning (93) and Price (38) are still there and have reduced Sussex’s target to 59.

Ah, Jewell chips Bailey to midwicket. He drops his arms in disappointment. Derbyshire 10-1.

Jimmy Anderson from the Jimmy Anderson end. Jewell edges – but it skids along the ground. The long legged Tom Bailey not the long legged Mitch Stanley from the Statham end. If you’re at a loose end at OT, the sun is out and the stands are inviting. Derbyshire 6-0.

Lancs all out 156, Derbyshire need 138 to win!

A stat, from Paul Edwards: Derbyshire have successfully chased in the fourth innings at OT four times, but only once were they chasing over a hundred.

Harris has had enough and steps down the pitch, slamming Aitchison for four. Fancies doing it again next ball but is caught behind reaching for runs.

No idea what will happen next, Jimmy could bowl Derbyshire out for 34, or they could stroll to 138 two down. Over to you.

“In the first six overs,” says Ken Grime, “Marcus Harris has only faced six balls.” Ooops, and he might not face many more as Abbas catches Stanley’s thrusting front pad. “Jesus Christ” someone shouts from the dressing room. Lancs 156-9, lead by 133.

And events elsewhere too – Rory Burns bowled by Ian Holland for a duck; cuts and (maybe) edges onto his own stumps which splatter satisfyingly. Surrey 11-1, still 160 behind.

Bad news for Glamorgan as big hope Asa Tribe too is bowled, for 83 at Trent Bridge, Kiran Carlson already taking off his boots, caught off Pennington for 19. Glamorgan 139-4, needing another 339 to win.

Kyle Abbot picks up yet another five-wicket haul, sending Finlay Bean on his way as Yorkshire’s resistance continues to crumble. Yorks 74-6 need 352.

Lancs take a single to leave Mitch Stanley to face Muhammad Abbas. And he does alright, picking up two and playing a straight bat.

And the third! Aitchison on a hat-trick. A huge smile at the top of his run gets huger as Bailey plays inside the line and loses his stumps. Lancs 147-8. Mitch Stanley comes out, dropping his helmet and generally getting dressed as he does.

Second ball does it! Coughlin trudging back after a corking ball from Aitchison has him edging behind. Lancs 147-7, the lead 124.

The sun is bright at OT as Derbyshire mooch on the boundary rope waiting to take the field. Shoaib Bashir has his arms crossed chatting to his teammates.

Just the most perfect spring morning in Manchester, birds, blossom, the works. One to store up and remember in November. My husband heard his first willow warbler of the year too.

Spring song: willow warbler Photograph: Marcos Veiga/Alamy

Derbyshire are hoping it stays that way. This was Zak Chappell last night:

“Harris is a class player but hopefully we can nip a couple out in the morning and chase around 160. As long as we have a clear mind and get through the new ball – that’s going to be important. Jimmy’s obviously going to be a handful but we’re just going to have to see where we are and build some partnerships.”

Sunday’s round-up

Somerset notched up 21 points at Chelmsford, thrashing Essex by 10 wickets. Craig Overton, in his vast Somerset sweater, added a couple of batters and a catch to his century on Saturday, a stand-in captaincy performance to remember. Essex inched a lead of just 47 and Archie Vaughan, Somerset’s second injury substitute, made a bid for a permanent spot by punching the majority of the runs himself, twice plonking Simon Harmer over midwicket for six.

A zinger of a catch by Matthew Potts sealed an innings victory for Durham at Bristol. Gloucestershire spent the day bailing out the bath with a teaspoon, but sank after tea. Cameron Bancroft (56) and Ben Charlesworth (26) added 101 for the first wicket as Gloucestershire followed on, but wickets fell afterwards, with three each for Callum Parkinson and Potts. Gloucestershire have no points after two games, after being deducted two for a slow over rate in round one.

A tight match at Lord’s was squeaked by Worcestershire, thanks to a tail-end 34 from Matthew Waite, who then removed Sam Robson and Ryan Higgins. A couple of run-outs sealed Middlesex’s fate.

Surrey were forced to take the third new ball at the Oval by upstarts Leicestershire. On a pastry pitch they amassed 691, their highest score against Surrey. There was a career-best 162 for Ben Cox, 100 for Stevie Eskinazi and the lead is an appetising 171.

Marcus Harris (58 not out) again rescued Lancashire, as they lost three for nought in their second innings, a balloon-pop collapse to leave them 23 for five. Mohammad Abbas and Zak Chappell found fire in the Old Trafford pitch for Derbyshire.

Zak Crawley was caught for five as Kent followed on against Northamptonshire; Asa Tribe’s 82 not out and repeated showers frustrated Notts as they set Glamorgan a mammoth 478.

A tight to and fro at Hove left Sussex needing 94 to beat Warwickshire, with five wickets in hand. Kyle Abbot’s four for 11 ensured Yorkshire made a terrible start in their pursuit of 426 against Hampshire.

Scores on the doors

DIVISION ONE

Chelmsford: Somerset 348 and 49-0 BEAT Essex 149 and 245 by ten wickets

Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 279 and 311-9dec v Glamorgan 113 and 132-2 Glamorgan need 346 to win

The Oval: Surrey 520 v Leicestershire 691

Hove: Sussex 204 and 234-5 v Warwickshire 267 and 264 Sussex need 94 to win

Headingley: Yorkshire 177 and 65-5 v Hampshire 251 and 351-5dec Yorks need 361 to win

DIVISION TWO

Bristol: Gloucestershire Durham 605-5dec BEAT 175 and 205 by an innings and 225 runs

Canterbury: Kent 178 and 162-3 v Northamptonshire 684-2dec

Old Trafford: Lancashire 351 and 147-6 v Derbyshire 374

Lord’s: Worcestershire 191 and 253 BEAT Middlesex 183 and 204 by 57 runs

Preamble

Good morning! There are just six games to keep an eye on today after stonking wins for Somerset and Durham and a squeakier one for Worcestershire at Lord’s.

I think we’re in for a thriller at Old Trafford, Lancs rebuilding from 23-5, and at Hove, where Sussex’s deep batting line-up needs just 94 against Warwickshire, five wickets left.

Asa Tribe is keeping Glamorgan alive at Trent Bridge, but Yorkshire and Kent are on very boggy ground against Hampshire and Northants.

And don’t forget to drop in at The Oval where there is a tiny possibility that the pitch has perked up enough for Leicestershire to give Surrey a fright.

It should be a nailbiter. Play starts at 11am and the kettle is on.

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