Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister on Saturday, officially ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule. The pro-European centre-right leader invited citizens to join him in writing a new chapter and “step through the gate of regime change”.
Magyar’s Tisza party won a landslide victory in last month’s parliamentary elections, securing 141 seats in the 199-seat parliament. Speaking to tens of thousands of supporters outside parliament, Magyar said the road to change had been long and bumpy, but Hungarians could finally rejoice. “Today, every freedom-loving person in the world wants to be a little Hungarian,” he said.
Magyar vowed to seek justice against those who had corrupted the state, calling Hungary under Orbán the most corrupt country in the EU. He called for Orbán-era appointees to resign by the end of the month, starting with President Tamás Sulyok, who had nominated him moments earlier. The crowd roared its approval.
Magyar pledged to build a more inclusive, free and humane Hungary. “What connects us will be stronger than what divides us,” he said. “Hungary will be home for every Hungarian.” Supporters, some of whom had travelled hours, expressed hope for the future. “This is the first time I feel like it’s good to be Hungarian,” said Erzsébet Medve, 68.
The new parliament also saw the EU flag returned to the building, after it was removed by Fidesz in 2014. Magyar, a former Fidesz insider, turned on the party in early 2024, exposing what he called a rotten system that enriched officials at the expense of ordinary people.
