Hungarian chess legend Polgar declines presidential nomination

Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgar on Monday declined a proposal to become the country's next president, saying she did not feel able to unite the nation, reported Xinhua.

Polgar announced her decision on social media, a day after Prime Minister Peter Magyar said he would ask her to serve as Hungary's next head of state.

Polgar's nomination followed a public call by Magyar's Tisza party for Hungarians to recommend candidates for the presidency. Her name was subsequently endorsed by a group of 16 prominent Hungarian figures, including an Olympic champion and an astronaut.

"I do not feel that I possess the strength required to assume the historic responsibility of uniting a divided nation. Therefore, I must respectfully decline the nomination," Polgar wrote.

She thanked those who had put her name forward and praised Magyar for seeking "an independent, non-partisan candidate" despite his party's parliamentary majority. Polgar also pledged to support "a new independent and widely respected President of the Republic" in achieving those goals.

Hungary is seeking a new president after constitutional amendments adopted last week ended President Tamas Sulyok's mandate as of Monday. Under the constitution, parliament must elect a new head of state within 30 days.

Until a new president takes office, presidential duties will be exercised by Speaker of the National Assembly Agnes Forsthoffer. No replacement candidate has yet been announced.