Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary's prime minister on Saturday, officially ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule. The pro-European center-right leader of the Tisza party assumed power following a landslide victory in last month's parliamentary elections, where his party secured a huge majority and defeated the nationalist-populist Fidesz party.
During his first speech, Magyar invited citizens to step through the gate of regime change and write Hungarian history together. A former government insider and Fidesz member turned critic, Magyar pledged a clean break from his predecessor's illiberal democracy. He promised wide-ranging reforms to fight corruption, restore democratic institutions, and return the nation to the European mainstream after years of economic stagnation and strained ties with key allies.
Immediately after being sworn in, Magyar apologized to those who had been maligned by the state under Orbán's leadership. He further called on those occupying high office, described as remnants of the Orbán regime, to vacate their posts by May 31. This order specifically included President Tamás Sulyok, marking a confrontation in parliament as Magyar seeks to ensure the rule of law returns quickly and the nation's autocratic slide is reversed.