EU begins talks with Hungary's incoming government
Budapest hosted early talks as both sides looked for a reset.
EU officials arrived in Budapest on Friday for high-level talks with Hungary\'s incoming government, signaling an early effort to improve a relationship that has been strained for years under Viktor Orban.
The discussions come after the opposition Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, won a landslide election victory. With a supermajority in parliament, the new leadership could amend the constitution and reverse some of the political structures built during Orban\'s 16 years in power.
Brussels has long criticized Hungary over rule-of-law issues, media control, judicial independence and disputes involving EU funding. Because of that history, the first meetings between EU officials and the incoming government carry strong political importance.
Orban admitted that a political era had ended, but he also suggested he would stay on as party leader. That means the transition may not be simple, even as European officials push for quick decisions on unresolved issues.