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Pro-European conservative Peter Magyar will be sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister on Saturday, promising sweeping “regime change” after 16 years of rule by nationalist leader Viktor Orban.
The former government insider turned critic secured a landslide victory in last month’s parliamentary election on a platform centred on anti-corruption reforms and democratic restructuring.
Magyar’s Tisza Party won 141 seats in the 199-member parliament, giving it a two-thirds majority capable of amending the constitution and passing major reforms.
The 45-year-old has pledged to reverse several institutional changes introduced during Orbán’s time in office, including reforms affecting the judiciary, media, academia and other public sectors.
Orbán had cultivated close relationships with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin while promoting what he described as an “illiberal democracy”.
One of Magyar’s immediate priorities is expected to be securing the release of billions of euros in frozen European Union funds withheld over rule-of-law concerns.
He recently met Ursula von der Leyen for talks ahead of taking office.
Hungary continues to face significant economic and social pressures, including stagnant growth and declining public services, challenges analysts say will require long-term structural reforms.
Magyar has also called on Orbán allies in key institutions to resign and urged authorities to prevent the transfer of assets abroad by individuals linked to the former administration.
Orbán, 62, announced last month that he would not take up his parliamentary seat, marking the first time since Hungary’s democratisation in 1990 that he will sit outside parliament.
Lawmakers are also expected to elect hotelier Ágnes Forsthoffer as parliamentary speaker, while several senior appointments by the Tisza Party reflect efforts to present a more diverse leadership.
Among them are lawyer Vilmos Kátai-Németh, poised to become Hungary’s first visually impaired minister, and Roma history teacher Krisztián Koszegi, nominated for deputy speaker of the parliament.
Ceremonies surrounding the inauguration are expected to emphasise national unity, European identity and inclusion, with events featuring tributes to Hungary’s EU membership, the Roma community and ethnic Hungarians living abroad.
Analysts say Magyar is seeking to present his administration as the beginning of a new political era after years of deep division under Orbán’s leadership.
