Péter Magyar has been sworn in as prime minister of Hungary, officially ending Viktor Orbán’s 16 years in power. The leader of the pro-European, centre-right Tisza party took office after a decisive victory in April’s parliamentary elections. His party won 141 seats in the 199-member parliament, securing a majority that gives it the power to carry out a far-reaching transformation of the country’s political system.
Magyar’s swearing-in was not only a political event, but also a highly symbolic one. Tens of thousands of people gathered outside the Hungarian parliament building in Budapest to watch the ceremony on large screens. The new prime minister spoke of a “new chapter” in the country’s history and stressed that the mandate given to him by voters meant not only a change of government, but also a change of the entire system.
For many Hungarians, it was a breakthrough moment. Orbán’s rule had long been associated with the concentration of power, the subordination of state institutions, sharp conflict with the European Union, and restrictions on pluralism in the media and public life. Magyar announced that his government would seek to rebuild democratic institutions, restore checks and balances, and tackle corruption, which he has presented as one of the main symbols of the previous era.
The new prime minister also called on senior public officials associated with Orbán’s system to resign by the end of May. He directly named President Tamás Sulyok, who only moments earlier had formally nominated him to form a government. This part of Magyar’s speech was met with an enthusiastic reaction from Tisza supporters gathered outside parliament.
One of the most powerful gestures of the first day of the new government was the return of the European Union flag to the parliament building. It had been removed under Fidesz rule, and its restoration was interpreted as a sign of Budapest’s changing course. Magyar has pledged to rebuild relations with Brussels and work to unlock billions of euros in EU funds frozen over concerns about the rule of law.
The change of power in Hungary has significance beyond domestic politics. For years, Viktor Orbán was one of the most important leaders of Europe’s nationalist-populist right and regularly blocked or delayed EU decisions, including those concerning support for Ukraine. Magyar, although he comes from the former Fidesz milieu, presents himself as a pro-European politician and as more critical of Russia than his predecessor.
The new government also wants to emphasize a more inclusive vision of the state. The new parliament includes a record number of women in Hungary’s post-communist history, and the cabinet is expected to include the country’s first visually impaired minister, responsible for social and family affairs. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Europe Day, further strengthening the message that Hungary is returning to the European mainstream.
However, Magyar faces enormous challenges. He must deal with economic stagnation, a high budget deficit, a crisis in public services, and resistance from people linked to the previous ruling camp in the media, judiciary, administration and academia. The enthusiasm seen on the streets of Budapest may therefore quickly collide with the difficult realities of governing.
Even so, Saturday’s events were seen by Tisza supporters as the historic closing of the Orbán era. For some, it marked the end of a system based on party loyalty and the centralization of power; for others, the beginning of a difficult process of repairing the state. Magyar takes office with a very strong mandate, but also with exceptionally high expectations. Whether “system change” becomes more than just a victorious campaign slogan will depend on his ability to combine accountability with institutional reconstruction and real improvements in the everyday lives of Hungarians.
