BUDAPEST – Hungary’s incoming prime minister, Péter Magyar, arrived Saturday at the Parliament building to be sworn into office, marking the end of Viktor Orbán’s autocratic 16-year rule. This transition signifies a pivotal moment in Hungary’s political landscape, with implications that resonate beyond its borders.
Magyar’s center-right Tisza party achieved a remarkable victory last month, defeating Orbán’s nationalist-populist Fidesz party. This outcome not only garnered more votes but also secured a greater number of seats in Parliament than any other party in Hungary’s post-Communist history. Such a decisive win indicates a significant shift in voter sentiment and political dynamics.
With Tisza’s two-thirds parliamentary majority, Magyar’s administration is poised to roll back many of the policies that had characterized Orbán’s tenure. Critics had often labeled Orbán as a far-right authoritarian, and Magyar’s government aims to address allegations of corruption while reshaping Hungary’s role within the European Union. Orbán’s regime had frequently disrupted the EU’s decision-making processes, creating tensions that have now reached a breaking point.
On Saturday, the grand neo-Gothic Parliament building witnessed a historic moment as Magyar entered alongside 140 of his party representatives, holding 141 seats in Hungary’s 199-seat parliament. In a striking shift, Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition now controls only 52 seats, down from 135, while the far-right Mi Hazánk party will hold six seats, reflecting a dramatic transformation in the political landscape.
This event marked the first time since Hungary’s first post-Communist Parliament was formed in 1990 that Orbán was absent during the swearing-in ceremony. The new assembly also includes a historic number of women lawmakers, with 54 women, predominantly from the Tisza party, making up more than a quarter of the total representation.
Magyar, a 45-year-old lawyer who founded Tisza in 2024 after years within Orbán’s party, has vowed to combat official corruption, which he claims has hindered economic opportunities for Hungarians. His commitment to transparency and accountability resonates with a public eager for change.
To celebrate his inauguration and the end of the Orbán era, Magyar has called on Hungarians to participate in a full-day “regime-change” celebration outside Parliament. This call to action has already attracted several thousand people eager to witness this transformative moment in Hungarian politics.
After taking his oath at approximately 3 p.m. local time, Magyar is expected to address the enthusiastic crowd outside, emphasizing his vision for a new Hungary.
Among Magyar’s top priorities is the restoration of Hungary’s relationship with the European Union, which Orbán had strained through controversial policies and decisions. The new prime minister aims to restore Hungary’s standing among Western democracies, which had been compromised as Orbán leaned increasingly towards Russia.
A critical step in this direction involves unlocking approximately 17 billion euros (about $20 billion) in EU funds that were frozen due to concerns over rule-of-law and corruption during Orbán’s administration. This financial support is essential for revitalizing Hungary’s struggling economy, which has faced stagnation for the past four years.
In a gesture of renewed commitment to the EU, Tisza officials have announced plans to once again display the EU flag on the Parliament building, an emblematic move after Orbán’s government removed it in 2014.
Budapest’s liberal mayor, Gergely Karácsony, has also extended an invitation for a celebration by the Danube River to honor the transition of power and to express gratitude to those who have opposed Orbán’s regime. In a heartfelt social media post, he acknowledged the sacrifices made by ordinary citizens, journalists, and activists who stood against the previous administration, stating, “We can finally leave this era behind us — but first, let us remember the everyday heroes and express our gratitude with a farewell to the system.”
