Peter Magyar takes oath as Hungary PM, bringing Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule to an end

Peter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s new prime minister on Saturday, marking the end of Viktor Orban’s 16-year dominance over the country’s politics after a historic election victory by Magyar’s center-right Tisza party.

Magyar’s oath-taking ceremony in Budapest came weeks after Tisza secured a sweeping parliamentary win over Orban’s nationalist-populist Fidesz party, capturing more votes and seats than any political force in Hungary’s post-Communist history. The landslide handed Tisza a two-thirds majority in parliament, giving it the power to reverse many of the policies introduced during Orban’s long tenure.

Addressing lawmakers after being sworn in, the 45-year-old lawyer pledged to govern with humility and serve the interests of the Hungarian people.

“I am not here to rule Hungary, but to serve my homeland,” Magyar said. “Millions of Hungarians voted for change, and that trust carries both great responsibility and great hope.”

Historic political shift

Magyar, who founded the Tisza party in 2024 after years as an insider within Orban’s political circle, entered Hungary’s neo-Gothic parliament building alongside 140 fellow party lawmakers.

Tisza now controls 141 of the 199 seats in parliament. Orban’s Fidesz-KDNP alliance, which previously held overwhelming control, has been reduced to 52 seats, while the far-right Mi Hazank party secured six.

The ceremony marked the first time since Hungary’s first post-Communist parliament in 1990 that Orban was absent from the chamber during the swearing-in of lawmakers.

Outside parliament, thousands gathered in Budapest’s Kossuth Square for what Magyar had called a “regime-change celebration,” waving Hungarian and European Union flags and cheering as the proceedings were broadcast live on giant screens.

Promises of democratic restoration

Magyar has vowed to rebuild democratic institutions, restore checks and balances, and investigate allegations of corruption linked to the previous administration.

His government plans to establish a National Asset Recovery and Protection Office to investigate and recover public funds allegedly misused during Orban’s rule.

“There can be no new beginning without reconciliation, no reconciliation without justice, and no justice without confronting the past,” Magyar told parliament.

He also pledged to reform Hungary’s public media system, accusing state broadcasters of serving as political tools under the previous government.

Resetting Hungary’s EU ties

One of Magyar’s immediate priorities is repairing Hungary’s strained relationship with the European Union.

Under Orban, Hungary repeatedly clashed with Brussels over rule-of-law concerns, media freedom and judicial independence. His government frequently blocked key EU decisions, including measures related to support for Ukraine.

In a symbolic gesture, the EU flag was raised on Hungary’s parliament building for the first time since it was removed in 2014.

Magyar hopes to unlock approximately €17 billion ($20 billion) in EU funds frozen over corruption and governance concerns — money seen as vital to reviving Hungary’s struggling economy.

Public optimism

The new parliament includes 54 women lawmakers, the highest number in Hungary’s history, with most representing Tisza.

Many supporters see the new government as a chance to restore democratic norms and reduce Russian influence in Hungarian politics.

“We want Hungary to move back toward Europe,” said 27-year-old Budapest resident Aron Farsang, who joined celebrations outside parliament.

For many Hungarians, Magyar’s rise signals the beginning of a new political era after more than a decade and a half of Orban’s rule.