Peter Magyar sworn in as Hungary's Prime Minister — ending 16 years of Orbán rule

On 9 May 2026, Europe Day, Peter Magyar was sworn in as Prime Minister of Hungary, ending sixteen years of governance led by Viktor Orbán. His Tisza party holds 141 of 199 seats, a two-thirds majority that opens the way to constitutional revisions. Before tens of thousands of supporters gathered on Parliament Square, the European flag was raised again on the building's façade for the first time since 2014.

Upon taking office, Magyar called on President Tamas Sulyok and other officials appointed under the previous era to resign before 31 May. He also announced the creation of a National Office for the Recovery of Public Assets, tasked with investigating corruption cases. His stated priorities focus on fighting corruption and re-anchoring Hungary within the European Union.

The context highlights a gap between very high expectations and limited room for manoeuvre. The new government inherits institutions still staffed by officials appointed under the outgoing leadership, a Constitutional Court shaped under Fidesz, and an economy that has stagnated for four years. The release of some 17 billion euros in European funds, central to the announced programme, will depend on conditions set by the Commission.

Several points remain disputed. Some observers read the shift as the end of a model of governance, while others see it as a reversible interlude. The timetable for disbursing European funds is debated, with some arguing they will not be released immediately. Orbán's future role, now in opposition, is also interpreted in diverging ways depending on the actors involved.