Péter Magyar Sworn In as Hungary Prime Minister, Orders Orbán Regime Officials Out by May 31

Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s new prime minister in parliament on Saturday, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16 years in power after Magyar’s Tisza party won a landslide April election victory.

“Peter Magyar has been sworn in as Hungary’s new prime minister, almost a month after parliamentary elections that ended Viktor Orban’s 16 years in power”

Al Jazeera

Euronews reported that Magyar called on those who occupy high office, described as remnants of the Orbán regime, to vacate their posts by the 31st of May, extending the order to specifically include President Tamás Sulyok.

Al Jazeera

The BBC said Magyar told Hungarians: "I will not rule over Hungary - I will serve my country," after taking the oath of office in parliament.

The BBC also said Tisza holds 141 seats out of 199 in the new parliament, up from zero, and that tens of thousands are expected to take part in a "celebration of freedom and democracy" outside parliament in Budapest on the shores of the Danube.

Euronews said Ágnes Forsthoffer, Vice President of the Tisza Party, was elected Speaker of parliament and announced her first order of business, reinstalling the EU flag on the Hungarian parliament building after around 12 years of absence.

In a separate account, DW described Magyar’s incoming government plans for a handover that would include playing the European Anthem, the anthem of the Szekelys, and the unofficial anthem of Hungary’s Roma community.

ANSA

DW also reported that Magyar declared the day a "system change holiday" and that the EU flag would be raised over the Hungarian parliament for the first time in 12 years.

Euronews added that Magyar said there can be no new beginning without reconciliation, and no reconciliation without justice, as he urged holders of high public office to resign today or by 31 May at the latest.

The BBC said the biggest challenge facing the new Magyar government is the urgent need to release €17bn in various EU funds withheld by the European Commission from the Orbán government, with Commission sources in Brussels suggesting some of the Hungarian money may be lost.

CBS News reported that Magyar plans to establish a National Asset Recovery and Protection Office to investigate and recover public funds misused during Orbán’s tenure, and to suspend the news services of Hungary’s public broadcaster until objectivity can be restored.

In the BBC’s account of the transition, Zoltán Tarr said the incoming government is ready to face a very grim economic situation, while also insisting that investigations and actions will be "totally in line with the rule of law."

CBS News also said Magyar is expected to transform political dynamics within the European Union, where Orbán had frequently vetoed key decisions, and that Magyar is far more pro-EU and anti-Russia than his predecessor.