Péter Magyar Sworn In as Hungary's Prime Minister

Péter Magyar was sworn in as Prime Minister of Hungary on May 9, 2026, after his center-right Tisza party won a landslide victory in April, securing 141 of 199 parliamentary seats. The transition ended the 16-year rule of Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party, whose representation plummeted from 135 to 52 seats. The inauguration in Budapest was marked by public celebrations at Kossuth Square and the symbolic reinstatement of the European Union flag to the parliament building after a 12-year absence.

Magyar declared a mandate to change the system and restore democratic institutions. His primary objectives include combating official corruption through a new National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, suspending the public broadcaster to restore objectivity, and unlocking approximately 17 billion euros in frozen EU funds. As a first move toward dismantling the previous administration, Magyar called for Fidesz-appointed officials, including President Tamás Sulyok, to resign by May 31.

The transition faced early personnel adjustments when Márton Melléthei-Barna, Magyar's brother-in-law, withdrew his candidacy for Justice Minister to avoid casting a shadow over the new government's legitimacy. While Magyar seeks to repair ties with European partners, he maintains a conservative stance on immigration and opposes sending arms to Ukraine. Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and key Fidesz figures notably declined to take their seats in parliament as corruption investigations began.