Budapest (HRNW)- Hungary has entered a new political chapter after ending 16 years of rule by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, with the leader of the center-right Tisza Party, Péter Magyar, sworn in as the country’s new prime minister.
Péter Magyar, 45, secured a decisive victory in last month’s parliamentary elections. His party won 141 seats in the 199-member parliament, giving it a clear majority and paving the way for his appointment as prime minister.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the historic Parliament House in Budapest. A key moment during the ceremony was the re-flying of the European Union flag inside parliament for the first time in 12 years, which the new government described as a symbolic step toward restoring relations with Europe.
In his address, Péter Magyar said Hungary was entering a new era of change, promising major reforms to pull the country out of political and economic stagnation. He urged citizens to support system-wide transformation.
Analysts say the new administration faces major challenges, including repairing strained ties with the European Union, stabilizing the economy, and addressing a growing budget deficit. Hungary’s relations with Russia had strengthened under Orban, while tensions with the EU increased, leading to the freezing of around $20 billion in EU funds over rule-of-law and human rights concerns.
Political experts believe Magyar’s biggest challenge will be to distance his leadership from Orban-era policies while maintaining stability. Although ideologically right-leaning, his rise is being seen as a significant political shift in Hungary.
It is also noted that Péter Magyar was relatively unknown in national politics before 2024 but gained rapid popularity after breaking away from Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party.
Support independent journalism and global reporting here:
HRNW Donation Appeal
