Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced on July 19, 2026, that he will ask Judit Polgar to become Hungary's next president, a largely ceremonial role [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. Magyar posted on social media that he planned to meet Polgar on July 20 to formally ask if she would accept the nomination [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].

The move follows a constitutional amendment that ended President Tamas Sulyok's term early. Sulyok signed the amendment on July 18, 2026, after Magyar's Tisza party secured its passage through parliament, where it holds a two-thirds majority [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8]. The new president will serve until a planned new constitution takes effect or for a maximum of five years [1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8].

Polgar, 49 years old and soon to turn 50, is regarded as the greatest female chess player of all time. She is the only woman to have crossed the 2700-rating threshold and led the women's world rankings for 25 to 26 years until her retirement in 2014 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. Along with her sisters Zsuzsa and Zsofia, and teammate Ildiko Madl, Polgar helped Hungary's women's team end Soviet dominance at the 1988 Chess Olympiad [1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8].

Prime Minister Magyar praised Polgar, saying, "Judit Polgar's name has been synonymous with talent and perseverance for decades" and called the presidency "the highest form of service" whose duty is "to serve and represent every Hungarian" [1, 8]. Magyar also said, "Our country needs unity, peace and a president of whom all Hungarians can be proud" [2].

Polgar has earned several honors for her integrity and achievements, including the Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen and a fellowship at Christ’s College, Cambridge. A Netflix documentary titled "Queen of Chess" about her was released earlier in February 2026 [6, 8, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8].

The presidency in Hungary is largely symbolic, with real power held by the Prime Minister and cabinet [5, 8]. Rights groups such as Human Rights Watch criticized the constitutional amendment as reminiscent of past political manipulations under the previous government [2].

Parliament is expected to elect the new president, with Magyar's party's two-thirds majority virtually guaranteeing Polgar's selection [1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8]. Final confirmation hinges on Polgar's acceptance after Magyar's planned July 20 meeting.