Péter Magyar, the newly elected Prime Minister of Hungary, has committed to holding accountable those responsible for the country’s decline, stating that a “new era” is on the horizon following a decisive electoral victory over his far-right predecessor, Viktor Orbán.
Magyar’s center-right Tisza party secured a significant victory, winning at least 138 out of 199 seats in the parliament. He anticipates that the final election results will be validated by May 4, with hopes of forming his government the following day.
During a comprehensive press conference on Monday, Magyar expressed urgency, emphasizing that “Our country has no time to waste.” He indicated that the Hungarian populace did not merely seek a change in leadership but desired a radical shift in governance.
Having previously been aligned with Orbán, Magyar now possesses a supermajority that empowers him to reverse many of the laws enacted by the former nationalist prime minister, who governed for 16 years and significantly undermined the rule of law in Hungary. Under Orbán, the judiciary was filled with allies, 80% of the media became state-controlled, and a close circle of associates gained considerable wealth.
Orbán’s administration frequently clashed with the European Union, which has withheld billions in funding due to various policy disputes involving issues such as justice, migration, and the conflict in Ukraine. His governance received support from notable figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
Magyar has indicated that his administration will quickly introduce anti-corruption initiatives, reinstate judicial independence, and guarantee media freedom, with the aim of promptly unlocking EU financial support. “I hope we can prepare an agreement,” he stated.
He vowed that Hungary “will never again be a country without consequences,” announcing plans to create a national asset recovery office to hold “political and economic criminals” accountable for their actions against the state.
In addition to other reforms aimed at accessing €17 billion in EU funds, Magyar plans to affiliate Hungary with the European public prosecutor’s office, enabling EU investigators to examine fraud cases and scrutinize the use of funds during Orbán’s tenure.
The new government intends to “fundamentally restore the rule of law, plural democracy, and a system of checks and balances,” while assuring that it will not resort to anti-democratic tactics. Magyar proposed constitutional amendments to limit prime ministers to two terms, effectively barring Orbán from future candidacy.
One of the initial actions of the new government will be to halt state-funded propaganda by suspending broadcasts from public media platforms until impartial coverage can be guaranteed through a newly established supervisory board.
Magyar criticized the heads of Hungary’s top courts, the audit office, and other authorities, labeling them as “puppets” of the previous administration, and called for their resignations. He specifically urged the president, Tamás Sulyok, to step down, asserting that he was merely a figurehead. “If he doesn’t, we will find a solution,” he warned.
European leaders expressed their enthusiasm for Magyar’s victory. While he has laid out policies that may create tensions within the EU, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described it as “a good day” that sends a “clear signal against right-wing populism.” He noted that decision-making within the EU, which has been impeded by Orbán’s vetoes, should now proceed more smoothly, particularly concerning the release of funds for Ukraine.
Orbán had previously obstructed a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, accusing the country of sabotaging oil deliveries, a claim that Ukraine has denied. His administration was also resistant to EU sanctions against Russia.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, pledged to collaborate with the new Hungarian government “as soon as possible” to address various issues, including the disbursement of frozen EU funds. She welcomed Magyar’s victory, asserting that “today, Europe is Hungarian without any question,” and that the Hungarian people have chosen to reclaim their European trajectory.
The prime ministers of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Robert Fico and Andrej Babiš—both allies of Orbán—congratulated Magyar and expressed eagerness for “constructive cooperation” with his administration.
Conversely, the Patriots for Europe group within the European Parliament, which includes Orbán’s Fidesz party and other far-right entities, characterized the election outcome as “a setback” for those advocating for “democratic self-determination and traditional European values” within the EU.
