Hungary’s pro-European centre-right leader Péter Magyar was officially sworn in as the Prime Minister of on Saturday in an inauguration ceremony, marking the historic end of Viktor Orbán’s nearly 16-year grip on power.
In a seismic shift for the European Union and the NATO alliance, Magyar’s consolidation of power came a month after his opposition Tisza party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections, erupting the Hungarians into jubilant celebrations in Budapest.
Addressing a crowd of hundreds of thousands gathered in front of the Hungarian Parliament early on Saturday, Magyar declared the beginning of a “new republic” built on the rule of law, transparency, and a renewed commitment to Western democratic values.
The transition follows a period of intense political upheaval initiated by the former government insider turned politician, who turned against the ruling Fidesz party to lead a grassroots movement. His campaign quickly evolved into a dominant electoral force, garnering the majority of votes. Tisza won 141 seats in the 199-seat parliament and rose as the prominent political force that ended the US President Donald Trump-backed Orbán’s decades-long career.
Magyar’s victory represents the first time since 2010 that the Hungarian opposition has successfully breached the “illiberal democracy” constructed by the 62-year-old Orbán, whose tenure was marked by pro-Russian policies and frequent clashes with Brussels over judicial independence and media freedoms.
Hungary’s Mandate for Change
During the swearing-in ceremony, Magyar emphasised that his primary mission is to dismantle the entrenched corruption and cronyism that he alleged was defined by the previous administration.
He promised to immediately begin the process of restoring the independence of the judiciary and rejoining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The move is intended to unlock billions in EU funding that had been frozen during the Orbán era.
The new Hungarian Prime Minister, 45, described his ascent not as a personal triumph, but as a “collective reclamation of Hungarian dignity”.
“Today, we close a dark chapter in our history and open a door to a future where no one is above the law,” Magyar stated in his inaugural address, according to The Associated Press. He added that his government would prioritise national reconciliation, seeking to bridge the deep social and political divides that have fractured Hungarian society over the past decade.
While Magyar’s mandate is being viewed as a strong one by the Hungarian lawmakers, they believe that the task of “de-Orbánizing” the state apparatus will nevertheless be a complex, multi-year endeavour, given the deep-rooted influence of the previous Orbán regime.
Shifting Political Alliances
The change in the Hungarian leadership has immediate ramifications for regional security and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Unlike his predecessor, who maintained a transactional relationship with Moscow and delayed critical NATO expansion votes, Magyar has signalled a significantly more pro-Kyiv and pro-Brussels foreign policy.
During his campaign and the victory statements, Magyar reaffirmed Hungary’s unwavering support for Ukrainian sovereignty and pledged to become a “constructive and reliable” partner within the European Union.
His inauguration Saturday was met with relief in Western countries, where Orbán was increasingly viewed as a disruptive force within NATO and the European bloc. Magyar has maintained a “Hungary First” economic outlook while also seeking to restore the country’s international standing. He has vowed to rebuild Hungary’s long-strained ties with the EU, suggesting that his success will depend on his ability to deliver tangible economic improvements while managing the rapid reform expected by the Hungarian population.
The new Hungarian leader has promised to end what he described as Hungary’s “two-decade-long nightmare” under the Orbán rule.
The Fall of Orbán
Viktor Orbán, who did not attend the main public celebration but participated in the formal handover at the presidential palace, largely retreated from the public eye since his party’s defeat in the key election. His departure marks the exit of one of Europe’s most polarising figures. Known among his supporters as a political figure who transformed Hungary into a laboratory for right-wing populism, Orbán handed over the reins to Magyar as he began his first week in office.
As Magyar was sworn in, the atmosphere in Budapest remained one of celebration. The Hungarian national flag was seen projected onto government buildings. At a Tisza booth, massive crowds lined up to purchase the party swag, cheer, waving the Hungarian flags. For the supporters of Magyar, the day represented more than a change in government. Hungarians called Magyar, becoming the leader of a “fundamental reset” of the nation’s trajectory.
