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Hungarian Chess Legend Judit Polgar Declines Prime Minister Medgyessy's Offer to Become President

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By דוד הכהן

First reported by Ynet · Jul 19, 2026

What happened

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Medgyessy offered Jewish-Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgar the presidency, but she declined citing lack of readiness and social media backlash. Medgyessy respects her decision and will seek another candidate amid ongoing leadership changes.

01Judit Polgar declined Hungarian PM Medgyessy's offer to become president.
02Polgar cited feeling unprepared and social media antisemitic attacks as reasons for refusal.
03Medgyessy won a two-thirds parliamentary majority and is reforming Hungary's leadership.
04Outgoing president Tamás Sólyom was removed after a constitutional amendment.
05Medgyessy praised Polgar as a unifying national figure and respected her decision.
06A new presidential candidate search will follow Polgar's refusal.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

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