Europe10 May, 20262 min read
Péter Magyar Sworn In as Prime Minister as Health Minister Zsolt Hegedűs Dances Outside Parliament
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Péter Magyar sworn in as Hungary's prime minister, ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year tenure. Zsolt Hegedűs, incoming health minister, performed a viral victory dance after the oath.
Magyar sworn in, dance erupts
Hungary’s Péter Magyar was sworn in as prime minister on Saturday, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure in power, and the daylong inauguration event included the return of the EU flag to parliament and the playing of the European anthem, ‘Ode to Joy.’ Incoming health minister Zsolt Hegedűs, an orthopaedic surgeon, went viral again as he danced on the steps of Hungary’s parliament after Magyar’s swearing-in, with crowds watching on giant screens along the Danube.
WION said Hegedűs danced to music after Magyar was inaugurated, as Magyar applauded alongside fellow lawmakers and supporters gathered in the tens of thousands. NDTV reported that Magyar posted on X, “I will not rule over Hungary; I will serve my country,” after taking the oath, while Hegedűs recreated his performance on the Parliament steps as celebrations erupted.
Hegedűs explains the moment
The Guardian reported that Hegedűs told it, “There were tons of messages saying ‘Dr. Hegedűs, you’re going to get this celebration started, aren’t you?’ or ‘There’s going to be dancing?’” as his phone buzzed ahead of the inauguration.
In the same account, Hegedűs said, “When the music started … I could see that the audience had been waiting for this so eagerly,” describing how he again gave in to the crowd’s anticipation.
The Guardian also quoted Hegedűs saying he was “almost like having fans; they started celebrating me like a rock star,” as images of his dance moves with air guitar continued to circulate.
Oz Arab Media described Hegedűs as comparing the reception to being treated like a rock star, and said he planned to tackle Hungary’s healthcare challenges by promoting health and wellness.
Healthcare and political reset
As Hungary navigates the new political era after Orbán’s defeat, the Guardian said Hegedűs described his dance as a way forward while he prepares to focus on “fixing Hungary’s crumbling healthcare system.”
The Guardian quoted Hegedűs saying, “Go outside, dance, be together. Let’s stop fiddling with our gadgets. Let’s enjoy the moment,” and added that he wanted to use his popularity to encourage a health-conscious lifestyle and mental wellbeing.
In the same Guardian account, Hegedűs said, “The weight has begun to lift from people’s shoulders,” linking the shift to the disappearance of billboards seeking to drum up fears over the EU and Ukraine.
Oz Arab Media echoed that framing by quoting Hegedűs: “The weight has begun to lift from people’s shoulders,” and said the defeat of Orbán led to the removal of fear-inducing propaganda from public spaces.