Aleksandar Vučić sharply rebuked Magyar, labeling his assertions about Putin acting as a godfather to autocrats as "foolish" and "senseless". The Hungarian Prime Minister-elect alleged that the Russian leader also manipulates affairs in Serbia.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić was the first international figure to confront Hungary’s Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar, merely a day after the parliamentary polls on Sunday.
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Magyar’s Tisza Party claimed a decisive win in the elections, bringing an end to Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule. Throughout those years, Orbán and Vučić maintained close political cooperation.
Addressing Serbia’s national broadcaster Monday evening, Vučić rejected Magyar’s previous statements as «senseless» after the Hungarian leader insinuated knowledge of the force behind the political coalition involving Orbán, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Vučić himself.
«I am fully aware of the situation in Serbia, as well as the intricate ties connecting the Orbán administration with Vučić’s Serbia, alongside the relationship between Robert Fico and Viktor Orbán,» Magyar declared at a Monday international press briefing.
«Moreover, I have a general idea of who orchestrates these strong alliances — who the godfather behind these friendships is,» he continued.
Vučić countered with a forceful statement during an interview with Serbia’s state media.
«He claims to know who is behind the connections involving Orbán, Fico, and me. I ask him directly: who is behind it? Come on, tell me!» Vučić challenged.
«He is clueless… he implies that it might be Putin. Were it not for the importance of relations with ethnic Hungarians in our country and Hungary itself, I would label his claim as both foolish and irresponsible,» Vučić added.
Magyar questions pipeline incident
At the same press conference, Magyar touched on the explosives found near the TurkStream gas pipeline in Serbia, close to the Hungarian border, describing it as a potential false-flag event.
«During the election campaign, there was an operation resembling a false flag attack on Easter Sunday,» Magyar said. «My upcoming government will thoroughly investigate the circumstances and determine if the threat was genuine» — while clarifying that he did not dismiss the possibility of an actual danger.
Serbian officials announced on 5 April the discovery of two bags of explosives close to the pipeline, which transports Russian natural gas to Hungary.
Vučić assured that the inquiry will be finalized and the results communicated to Magyar.
«The evidence will prove that he was mistaken to believe the tabloid rumors,» Vučić stated.
Despite the intense verbal exchanges, both leaders indicated a willingness to preserve positive bilateral ties. Vučić also extended congratulations to Magyar following Sunday’s election outcome.