Péter Magyar Sworn In as Hungary’s Prime Minister, Ushering in a New Era After 16 Years of Orbán’s Rule

Hungary’s Péter Magyar was sworn in as the new prime minister on Saturday, marking a significant political shift after 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s autocratic governance. Magyar, leader of the center-right Tisza party, achieved a historic victory last month, defeating Orbán’s nationalist-populist Fidesz party and securing more votes and parliamentary seats than any other party in Hungary’s post-Communist history.

The Tisza party’s triumph has granted it a two-thirds majority in parliament, enabling Magyar to reverse many of the policies that had solidified Orbán’s reputation as a far-right authoritarian. In an address to tens of thousands of supporters gathered outside the parliament building, Magyar expressed pride in the Hungarian people’s resilience, stating, “Today, every freedom-loving person in the world would like to be Hungarian a little.” He emphasized the power of ordinary citizens in overcoming tyranny, receiving enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

A Parliament Without Orbán

Magyar, a 45-year-old lawyer who founded the Tisza party in 2024, entered the neo-Gothic parliament building with 140 party representatives. The Tisza party now holds 141 seats in Hungary’s 199-seat parliament, while Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition has been reduced to 52 seats, down from 135. The far-right Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) party retains six seats. This marks the first time since the establishment of Hungary’s first post-Communist parliament in 1990 that Orbán was not among the representatives taking their oaths of office.

In a call for unity, Magyar urged Hungarians to participate in a day-long “regime-change” celebration at Kossuth Square to commemorate his inauguration and the end of the Orbán era. Many attendees waved Hungarian and EU flags and donned Tisza T-shirts. Magyar articulated a vision of healing the social divisions created during Orbán’s tenure, declaring, “Today is the fulfillment of the long journey that we have made together in recent years.”

The new National Assembly includes 54 women lawmakers, the highest number in Hungary’s history, with most representing the Tisza party. Andrea Szepesi, an economist from Budapest, remarked on the importance of increased female representation, stating, “Finally, women are able to participate in this new, beautiful democratic system and the flourishing of the country.”

Repairing Relations with the EU

Magyar has committed to mending Hungary’s strained relations with the European Union, which were severely tested during Orbán’s administration. The EU flag was raised on the parliament building’s facade for the first time since Orbán’s government removed it in 2014. One of Magyar’s top priorities is to unlock approximately 17 billion euros ($20 billion) in EU funds that were frozen due to concerns over rule of law and corruption. This funding is crucial for revitalizing Hungary’s stagnant economy, which has seen little growth over the past four years.

Attendees at the inauguration celebration expressed optimism about the new government. Áron Farsang, a 27-year-old web designer, voiced hopes for the restoration of democratic institutions and a return to closer ties with the European Union. He also highlighted the need to reduce Russian influence in Hungary, particularly concerning energy dependency.

Accounting for the Past

Many of the 3.4 million Hungarians who voted for Tisza expect Magyar to hold Fidesz officials accountable for alleged misconduct during the previous administration. In his address to the National Assembly, he called for the resignation of Fidesz-appointed heads of government institutions, including President Tamás Sulyok, by May 31.

Magyar plans to establish a National Asset Recovery and Protection Office to investigate and recover public funds misused during Orbán’s time in office. He has also pledged to suspend the operations of Hungary’s public broadcaster, which has been criticized as a propaganda tool for Orbán’s party, until objectivity can be restored.

In his remarks to lawmakers, Magyar reiterated his commitment to accountability, stating that voters had “given us a mandate to open a new chapter in Hungary’s history.”

As reported by www.timesnownews.com.

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Published on 2026-05-10 02:27:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk