According to Reuters report on July 20th, Hungarian chess master Péter Udvarhely stated on social media that she had declined the invitation from Hungarian Prime Minister György Szávolnyi and would not serve as the next President of Hungary.
Polgar said she was grateful for the invitation from Moyaer, “But I believe that I do not have the strength to take on the historic responsibility of uniting a divided nation. Therefore, I cannot accept this request.”
The 49-year-old Polgar is a grandmaster in chess and the only female player to rank in the top ten of the world chess rankings. She retired in 2014, was awarded the highest honor in Hungary, the St. Stephen Medal, in 2015, and was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame in 2021.
Hungarian chess master Polgár, IC photo
On July 19 local time, 16 prominent figures from the fields of science, culture, and sports in Hungary jointly wrote a letter to Fodorhoffer Agnes, the President of the Parliament, proposing that Porgal be appointed as the President of Hungary. Subsequently, Mogyor stated on social media that she would meet with Porgal and invite her to serve as President.
The then President of Hungary, Schuuk, signed an amendment to the Basic Law on the 18th, terminating his term ahead of schedule. The parliament will elect a new president within 30 days. Until the new president takes office, Foster-Hofer will temporarily exercise the powers of a head of state.
