BUDAPEST, Hungary — Péter Magyar will be sworn in as Hungary’s new prime minister this Saturday inside the country’s ornate neo-Gothic parliament building, while thousands of supporters are expected to fill the square outside celebrating the end of Viktor Orbán’s 16-year leadership.
Last month, Magyar’s center-right Tisza party achieved a stunning electoral victory over Orbán’s nationalist-populist Fidesz party, securing more votes and parliamentary seats than any political party since Hungary emerged from Communist rule.
The overwhelming electoral mandate will enable Tisza to reverse numerous policies that earned Orbán criticism as an authoritarian leader among his detractors, while also investigating the economic arrangements that significantly enriched many of his associates and relatives.
Prior to beginning his governing duties, Magyar has invited Hungarians to join a daylong “regime-change” festival on Saturday to commemorate his swearing-in ceremony and the conclusion of the Orbán period.
“We will step through the gateway of regime change with a huge party. Come along, and invite your family and friends!” Magyar wrote in a social media post Sunday.
The 45-year-old attorney established Tisza in 2024 following years working within Orbán’s political circle, and has pledged to eliminate government corruption that he claims has denied Hungarians economic prosperity.
Among his primary objectives is securing approximately 17 billion euros ($20 billion) in European Union funding for Hungary that was withheld during Orbán’s administration due to concerns about rule-of-law violations and corruption. These funds are desperately needed to revitalize Hungary’s faltering economy, which has remained stagnant over the past four years.
Magyar has also committed to mending his nation’s relationships with EU allies that Orbán had severely strained, and to reestablish Hungary’s standing among Western democratic nations that had been questioned as Orbán developed closer ties with Russia.
Demonstrating this dedication, Tisza representatives announce they will restore the EU flag to the parliament building’s exterior starting Saturday, after Orbán’s administration took it down in 2014.
While there is widespread celebration over Orbán’s departure, many of the nearly 3.4 million Hungarians who supported Tisza anticipate Magyar will pursue accountability from Fidesz officials and their business partners for alleged wrongdoing during the previous administration.
Magyar intends to establish the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, an agency responsible for investigating and attempting to reclaim public money allegedly misappropriated during Orbán’s time in power. He has also promised to halt operations at Hungary’s public broadcasting news divisions — commonly viewed as a propaganda tool for Orbán’s party — until impartiality can be reestablished.
Tisza is anticipated to implement significant reforms throughout Hungary’s government structure, including creating individual ministries for health, environmental protection and education that were absent under Orbán’s system.
Magyar has stated he will bring expertise back to Hungary’s government, nominating several cabinet members who have gained international recognition in their respective areas.
The future leader has suggested diplomat and foreign policy specialist Anita Orbán, who shares no family connection with the departing prime minister, for foreign affairs minister, former Shell executive István Kapitány for economy and energy minister, and economist András Kármán for finance minister.
Magyar is scheduled to take his oath of office at approximately 3 p.m. local time Saturday, followed by remarks to the assembled crowd outside. In his event invitation, he guaranteed artistic performances and unexpected special guests.
Budapest’s liberal mayor, Gergely Karácsony, has separately organized a “system-closing” celebration along the Danube River, describing it as an opportunity to honor Hungarians who courageously opposed Orbán’s governance for years.
“Teachers fired, civilians and journalists humiliated, small churches torn apart,” Karácsony wrote in a social media post. “We can finally leave this era behind us — but first, let us remember the everyday heroes and express our gratitude with a farewell to the system.”
