Péter Magyar took the oath of office as Hungary's prime minister on Saturday morning in Budapest, marking the end of Viktor Orbán's 16-year grip on power. The ceremony in the National Assembly confirmed Magyar's landslide victory in the April general election, where his Tisza party secured 141 of the 199 seats — an outright majority. The outgoing Fidesz party holds 44 seats, its former ally KDNP has 8, and the far-right Mi Hazánk has 6.
Magyar was appointed with 140 votes in favour, 54 against, and one abstention. In his inaugural address, he declared that Hungarians had given his party a mandate to open a new chapter in the country's history — one that would change not only the government but the entire political system.
“I will not rule over Hungary, I will serve my homeland,” Magyar said. “However, there can be no new beginning without reconciliation, and no reconciliation without justice.”
A Call for a Clean Break
Magyar wasted no time in signalling a break with the Orbán era. He called on all holders of high public office who served the previous regime to resign by 31 May at the latest. “President Tamás Sulyok should be the first to do so,” he added, directly targeting the head of state.
In a departure from 36 years of tradition, Orbán did not deliver a speech at the inaugural session — nor did he attend. The absence underscored the acrimony of the transition.
Ágnes Forsthoffer, vice president of the Tisza party, was elected speaker of parliament. Her first act was to order the reinstatement of the European Union flag on the parliament building, which had been absent for roughly 12 years — a symbolic gesture of renewed commitment to Brussels.
The Tisza party organised an all-day “system-changing people’s festival” on Kossuth Square, which was already packed by early afternoon. “By electing Péter Magyar prime minister already at the inaugural sitting, the new National Assembly has broken with tradition,” said Rita Kónya, Euronews' correspondent in Budapest. “Previously, several days would pass between the two events. This will shorten the transition, enabling the new government to be formed more quickly. And by tying the inaugural sitting to a popular celebration, they have turned a protocol event into a shared community experience.”
Magyar's victory comes amid broader political shifts in Central Europe. In neighbouring Bulgaria, Rumen Radev was approved as prime minister after a landslide win, while in the UK, local elections showed Labour suffering losses as Reform UK gained ground. The new Hungarian government will also need to navigate a thaw in relations with Kyiv, as seen in the recent return of seized Oschadbank assets.
Magyar's cabinet is expected to be formed swiftly, with the new administration facing the challenge of restoring democratic checks and balances, repairing ties with EU institutions, and addressing economic pressures. The transition marks a pivotal moment for Hungary and for the broader European political landscape.
