Magyar sworn in as Hungary’s ‘regime change’ PM

BUDAPEST - Pro-European conservative Peter Magyar was ceremonially sworn in as prime minister on May 9, vowing “regime change” after nationalist Viktor Orban’s 16 years in power.

The former government insider-turned-critic swept to a landslide victory in April, marking a clear break from his predecessor.

“I will not rule over Hungary; I will serve my country,” Mr Magyar said after he took the oath of office in Parliament, while tens of thousands of supporters gathered outside along the Danube, watching on giant screens.

He pledged swift action, saying one of his government’s first steps would be to create an independent office to investigate corruption over the past 20 years and recover public assets from those who “illegally acquired” them.

Mr Magyar, 45, also wants to undo changes introduced under Mr Orban – who fostered close ties with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin – that eroded the judiciary, media, universities and other institutions.

He also said his government would review the constitutional system to ensure power can never again be overly concentrated.

His Tisza party won 141 of Parliament’s 199 seats, a comfortable two-thirds majority with the power to amend the constitution and push through key reforms.

Among Mr Magyar’s most urgent priorities is unlocking billions of euros in EU funds frozen Brussels over rule-of-law concerns.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated him on X, welcoming “the hope and promise of renewal in these challenging times”.

High expectations

Hungary faces a stagnating economy and deteriorating public services – problems analysts say require deep structural reform.

“There is a lot of patience and goodwill toward the new government, but the expectations are through the roof and need to be met in the short-term as well,” said Ms Andrea Virag, director of strategy at the liberal Republikon Institute think tank.

In his inaugural speech, Mr Magyar said many state institutions had “squandered” public trust, reiterating his earlier call for President Tamas Sulyok and other Orban allies to resign by the end of May.

Earlier in the session, Mr Sulyok offered “constructive cooperation” with the new government.

Mr Orban said in April that he would not take up his seat in Parliament – the first time since Hungary’s transition to democracy in 1990.

He also skipped the ceremony on May 9, breaking with decades of tradition.

The 62-year-old, who aimed to turn the country of 9.5 million into a model of “illiberal democracy” and widely restricted rights, has said he would focus on the “reorganisation of the national camp”.

‘Reconciliation’

On May 9, lawmakers overwhelmingly elected hotelier Agnes Forsthoffer as Parliament speaker. In a symbolic gesture toward what she called “returning to Europe”, she ordered the European Union flag reinstated outside parliament.

Ms Forsthoffer is among several women tapped for senior roles by Tisza, which has pledged broader representation than Mr Orban’s coalition.

History teacher Krisztian Koszegi was elected Hungary’s first-ever Roma deputy speaker. Other nominations include lawyer Vilmos Katai-Nemeth as social and family affairs minister, who would be the country’s first visually impaired cabinet member.

Celebrations in and around Parliament were heavy with symbolism, featuring flags and music highlighting Hungary’s EU membership, its Roma minority and ethnic Hungarians living in neighbouring countries.

“Magyar seeks to show that he represents a form of national unity and reconciliation after Orban’s politics of division,” Ms Virag said.

“With the festivities he also wants to show that it was not a mere change of government, but a start of a new era,” she added.

Left‑of‑centre and liberal parties will be absent from Parliament for the first time since 1990. AFP