SouthernWorldwide.com – Péter Magyar has officially taken his oath as Hungary’s new prime minister, marking the end of Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure. This transition follows a significant electoral victory for Magyar’s center-right Tisza party.
The Tisza party achieved a decisive win against Orbán’s nationalist-populist Fidesz party in the recent elections. Their success in securing more votes and parliamentary seats than any other party in Hungary’s post-Communist history is a landmark event.
This substantial parliamentary majority for Tisza, amounting to a two-thirds representation, will empower them to dismantle many of the policies enacted under Orbán’s rule. Orbán, who was an ally of the Trump administration, had garnered criticism for his leadership style, often described as authoritarian.
Peter Magyar takes the oath as Hungary’s prime minister during a ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, May 9, 2026. – Denes Erdos / AP
During his inaugural address to the members of the Hungarian Parliament, Magyar articulated his vision for his leadership. He stated that his role would not be to “rule” Hungary but rather to “serve my homeland.”
“I’m not standing here because I’m different from anyone else in the country,” Magyar emphasized. “I stand here because millions of Hungarians decided that they want change. And this trust that we have received is both a weight of honor and a moral obligation, but also a wonderful feeling.”
Magyar has pledged to re-establish democratic institutions and the checks and balances that were significantly weakened during Orbán’s time in power. A key focus of his administration will be to address and curb alleged corruption.
His government is anticipated to reshape political dynamics within the European Union. Previously, Orbán had frequently disrupted the bloc’s decision-making processes through consistent vetoes, most notably concerning aid to neighboring Ukraine.
Peter Magyar takes the oath as Hungary’s prime minister during a ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, May 9, 2026. – Denes Erdos / AP
Magyar, a 45-year-old lawyer, founded the Tisza party in 2024. His political career included a period as an insider within Orbán’s party before his departure. He is notably more supportive of the EU and less aligned with Russia compared to his predecessor.
He resigned from Orbán’s Fidesz party in 2024, citing profound dissatisfaction with what he described as a pervasive culture of corruption under Orbán’s leadership. Despite his pro-EU stance, Magyar maintains strong conservative views on immigration.
He has previously stated the necessity for robust border protection within the EU and has voiced opposition to the mandatory redistribution of asylum seekers across European nations.
With 141 seats in the 199-seat Hungarian parliament, Tisza now holds a commanding majority. In contrast, Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition has seen its representation significantly reduced to 52 seats, down from 135. The far-right Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) party secured six seats.
A substantial portion of the nearly 3.4 million voters who supported Tisza are anticipating accountability from Fidesz officials and their business associates for alleged misconduct during the previous administration.
Magyar’s government intends to establish a National Asset Recovery and Protection Office. This new authority will be responsible for investigating and reclaiming public funds that were allegedly misappropriated during Orbán’s term.
Furthermore, Magyar has committed to temporarily suspending the news services of Hungary’s public broadcaster. This broadcaster has been widely criticized as a propaganda tool for Orbán’s party, and the suspension aims to restore objectivity.
In his address to the parliament, Magyar alluded to his commitment to holding former officials accountable for past transgressions. He stated that the voters had “given us a mandate to open a new chapter in Hungary’s history.”
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“We must understand, however, that there can be no new beginning without reconciliation. There can be no reconciliation without justice. And there can be no justice without confronting the past,” he remarked.
Magyar has made it a priority to mend Hungary’s relationship with the EU, which had been strained under Orbán’s leadership. His aim is to reintegrate Hungary into the community of Western democracies, whose standing had been questioned due to Orbán’s increasing alignment with Russia.
Significantly, the EU flag was re-hoisted on the Parliament building’s facade on Saturday afternoon. This symbolic act marks the first time the flag has been displayed there since Orbán’s government removed it in 2014.
A key objective for the new prime minister is to secure approximately $20 billion in EU funds that were frozen during Orbán’s administration. These funds were withheld due to concerns regarding the rule of law and corruption. The economic revitalization of Hungary, which has experienced stagnation for the past four years, is in urgent need of this financial support.
Áron Farsang, a 27-year-old web designer and attendee at the inauguration, expressed his expectations for the new Tisza government. He anticipates the restoration of Hungary’s democratic institutions and a return to alignment with the European Union.
“I would also really like it if we could get rid of the Russian influence as soon as possible,” he stated. “I’m thinking about energy dependency and their general political style.”
The new Hungarian national assembly boasts 54 female lawmakers, a majority of whom are from the Tisza party. This represents over a quarter of the total membership, the highest number of women in Hungary’s parliamentary history.
Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Peter Magyar, center, arrives with fellow lawmakers at the Parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, May 9, 2026. – Denes Erdos / AP
Andrea Szepesi, an economist from Budapest, commented on the increased representation of women in Parliament. She described the moment as “about time” and noted that under Orbán’s rule, Hungary had fewer women in government compared to most other EU nations.
“Finally, women are able to participate in this new, beautiful democratic system and the flourishing of the country,” she told The Associated Press.
The 199 representatives took their oaths of office around 11 a.m. local time. Notably, Viktor Orbán was not present, marking the first time since the formation of Hungary’s post-Communist Parliament in 1990.
Earlier, Magyar had encouraged Hungarians to participate in an all-day “regime-change” celebration on Kossuth Square, adjacent to Parliament. This event was organized to commemorate his inauguration and the conclusion of the Orbán era.
Thousands of people had already gathered in the square as the new representatives were sworn in. Many attendees were seen waving Hungarian and EU flags and wearing Tisza T-shirts. As the parliamentary proceedings were broadcast on large screens, the crowd erupted in cheers whenever Magyar appeared.
The new prime minister was scheduled to address the crowd outside Parliament following the conclusion of the inaugural session.
