Germany eyes fresh start with Hungary as foreign minister makes first visit since Orban ouster

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul meets with Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban in Budapest, Hungary, September 14, 2026. 

Berlin. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described ​his trip to Budapest ‌on Monday - the first by a German foreign ​minister in nearly seven ​years - as a chance ⁠to rapidly restore relations ​in the wake of ​the ouster of former prime minister Viktor Orban.

There is much ​ground to make ​up, he said, but "the political change ‌in ⁠Hungary offers an opportunity to rapidly restore our relations to a foundation ​of ​mutual ⁠trust and reliability."

Germany has hailed a ​new start in ​relations ⁠under Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who took ⁠office ​this year following ​Orban's 16-year rule.