Péter Magyar Sworn In As Hungary’s Prime Minister, Ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-Year Rule

Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s new prime minister on Saturday, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, with the ceremony held in Budapest’s parliament building on Europe Day, the 9 May date referenced in the coverage.

“Budapest, May 9 (EFE)”

EFE

In Budapest, the European Union flag was reinstated on the parliament building’s facade for the first time since Orbán’s government removed it in 2014, and POLITICO said the EU flag was flying for the first time in a decade when Magyar was sworn in.

EFE

POLITICO reported that European Council President António Costa told reporters, “We are ready to work with the new Hungarian government,” as Orbán left office.

The same transition was framed as a reset with Brussels, with Magyar seeking to secure around €10 billion in EU funds frozen over backsliding over human rights and the rule of law, according to POLITICO.

Multiple outlets tied Magyar’s swearing-in to the parliamentary arithmetic from the April elections, with VOI.id saying Tisza controls two-thirds of the 199 seats and controls 141 parliamentary seats while the Fidesz-KDNP coalition fell to 52 and Mi Hazank to 6.

EFE reported that Magyar, 45, was sworn in with 140 votes in favor and 54 against in Hungary’s 199-seat parliament, and it said the swearing-in ceremony took place on Europe Day with the EU flag reinstated after it had been removed under Orbán.

El País

In his first speech as prime minister, EFE quoted Magyar saying, “I ask everyone here, within these walls of parliament, to hear the message Hungarians have delivered: they want change,” and it added that his platform centers on dismantling Orbán’s system and restoring relations with the European Union.

Euronews also quoted Magyar after taking the oath, saying, “I will not govern Hungary; I will serve my homeland,” and it reported that Ágnes Forsthoffer was elected the new President of the Parliament and announced her first measure to reinstall the European flag.

Across the coverage, Magyar’s immediate priorities were linked to EU funding and rule-of-law disputes, with POLITICO saying he has vowed a reset with Brussels to try to secure around €10 billion in EU funds frozen.

“Péter Magyar called on senior officials, deemed remnants of the Orbán regime, to step down by May 31”

Euronews

VOI.id said Magyar’s top priority is “fighting corruption and fighting for the release of EU funds that have been frozen due to concerns about corruption and the erosion of the rule of law in Hungary,” and it quoted him saying, “The most important task at the moment is to stop corruption and bring back EU funds.”

Euronews reported that Magyar called on senior officials deemed remnants of the Orbán regime to step down by May 31, and it quoted him saying, “President Tamás Sulyok should be the first to do so.”

The stakes for Hungary’s relationship with Europe were also underscored by the symbolism of the EU flag’s return after nearly twelve years of absence, which Euronews said was part of a “People’s Festival of System Change” and was announced as a first measure by the newly elected speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer.