Peter Magyar sworn in as Hungary’s PM, ending Orban’s 16 years in power 

Peter Magyar has officially been sworn in as Hungary’s new prime minister, almost a month after he swept away his predecessor, Viktor Orban, in parliamentary elections that brought an end to the latter’s 16 years in power.

Magyar, 45, who leads the centre-right Tisza party, propelled into office on promises of change after years of economic stagnation and strained ties with key allies, including the European Union, under Orban.

On Saturday, Magyar invited Hungarians to “step through the gate of regime change”.

His party has secured a huge parliamentary majority, winning 141 of the 199 seats.

Magyar faces several challenges in his new role, including restoring Budapest’s relations with the EU, reviving the economy, and tackling a budget deficit that had reached almost three-quarters of its full-year target by April.

The new prime minister aims to strike a deal with the EU that would unlock around $20bn in frozen funding. The money was withheld over concerns about worsening human rights under Orban and a decline in the rule of law.

During Orban’s tenure, Hungary drifted further away from the EU as ties with Moscow deepened. The former prime minister used his veto in the European Council to oppose sanctions on Russia and block support for Ukraine.

Magyar’s rise to prime minister is widely regarded as a remarkable feat. He was largely unknown in Hungarian politics until early 2024, when he became embroiled in a public dispute with Orban’s ruling Fidesz party, of which he had previously been a prominent member.