BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's incoming prime minister, Péter Magyar, made a historic entrance to the Parliament building on Saturday, May 9, 2026, to be sworn into office, marking the end of Viktor Orbán's autocratic 16-year governance. Magyar and his center-right Tisza party triumphed over Orbán's nationalist-populist Fidesz in a remarkable electoral victory last month, garnering more votes and seats in Parliament than any other party in Hungary since the fall of communism.
The outcome will enable Tisza to revoke numerous policies that contributed to Orbán’s standing as a far-right authoritarian in the eyes of critics. It also presents an opportunity to tackle alleged corruption and alter the political landscape within the European Union, where Orbán had disrupted unity by frequently vetoing essential decisions.
Upon his arrival on Saturday, Magyar was accompanied by 140 representatives from his party, who together control 141 out of 199 seats in Hungary's Parliament. In contrast, Orbán's Fidesz-KDNP coalition has seen their seats dwindle to 52 from 135, and the far-right Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) party will hold six seats in the new assembly. This marks the first time since 1990 that Orbán, who has previously dominated Parliamentary sessions, will not be present during the inaugural session. Following his loss, he expressed intentions to focus on rebuilding his nationalist-populist political community.
Magyar, a 45-year-old lawyer who established the Tisza party in 2024 after being an insider in Orbán's administration, has pledged to eliminate official corruption, which he claims has deprived many Hungarians of economic opportunities. To celebrate his inauguration and the conclusion of the Orbán era, he has called on citizens to attend an all-day “regime-change” celebration outside the Parliament building.
After taking his oath at approximately 3 p.m. local time, Magyar is scheduled to address the crowd gathered outside the Parliament. A significant aspect of Magyar's agenda is the restoration of Hungary's relationship with the European Union, which had experienced significant strain under Orbán's leadership. Orbán's administration had pushed relations to the brink, particularly through alliances that brought Hungary closer to Russia, raising concerns among Western democracies regarding Hungary's commitment to shared values.
One of Magyar's primary goals is to unlock about 17 billion euros (approximately $20 billion) of EU funds that were previously frozen due to rule-of-law and corruption issues during Orbán’s tenure. This funding is vital to rejuvenate Hungary's sluggish economy, which has been stagnant for four years. As an early indication of his commitment to rekindling relations with the EU, Tisza officials have announced plans to once again display the EU flag on the facade of the Parliament building, following its removal by Orbán's government in 2014.
Additionally, Budapest's liberal mayor, Gergely Karácsony, extended an open invitation to a celebratory gathering by the Danube River to commemorate Orbán's political fall and the establishment of the new government. In a heartfelt social media message, Karácsony expressed gratitude to the Hungarians who have consistently raised their voices against Orbán's regime, recognizing the struggles faced by teachers, civilians, and journalists under the previous administration. He emphasized the importance of honoring the everyday heroes who resisted the system, stating that it is time to move on from that era while maintaining a sense of acknowledgment for the past.
