09.05.2026 20:18
Hungary's 16-year Viktor Orban era has officially ended. As the new Prime Minister Peter Magyar was sworn into office, both a political and symbolic revolution took place in the country. The most striking and symbolic step of the new era was taken immediately after the swearing-in ceremony. New Parliament Speaker Agnes Forsthoffer ordered the return of the European Union flag, which was removed by Viktor Orban in 2014, to the parliament building.
With the new Prime Minister of Hungary, Peter Magyar, officially taking office by taking an oath in parliament, the 16-year rule of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban has come to an end.
OFFICIALLY ASSUMED OFFICE
Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party and winner of the general elections held on April 12 in Hungary, was elected prime minister in a vote during the opening session of the Hungarian Parliament. Of the 199 members of parliament, 195 voted; 140 voted yes, 54 voted no, and one abstained. Following this, Magyar took the oath in parliament and officially assumed his four-year prime ministerial duties.
A FIRST IN 12 YEARS: EU FLAG RETURNED TO PARLIAMENT
The most striking and symbolic step of the new era was taken immediately after the oath ceremony. New Speaker of Parliament Agnes Forsthoffer instructed that the European Union (EU) flag, which was removed by Viktor Orban in 2014, be brought back to the parliament building. Forsthoffer described this decision as a symbol of return to the European path.
ORBAN'S 16-YEAR RULE ENDED
Tisza Party leader Peter Magyar, who emerged victorious in the April 12 elections, was elected Hungary's new prime minister with 140 yes votes in the parliamentary vote. Taking the podium after the oath ceremony, the young leader, born in 1981, emphasized that the Hungarian people had given him the mandate to change not only the government but also the system.
In his speech to parliament, Magyar said, "The Hungarian people have given us the mandate to end decades of drift," adding, "We have received the mandate to open a new chapter in Hungarian history. Not just to change the government, but to change the system. To start anew."
SHOCK CALL TO THE PRESIDENT: IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO GO
During his speech, Magyar made a bold move that pushed the boundaries of diplomatic courtesy. Turning to President Sulyok, whom he accused of overlooking the mistakes of the Orban era, he said, "It's time for you to go, Mr. President, while you still can." These words were met with applause in the hall, while President Sulyok was seen reacting with a forced smile.
CHAIN OF SCANDALS TOPPLED THE GOVERNMENT
Behind Peter Magyar's rapid rise lies a child abuse scandal that shook the country. The crisis, sparked by former President Katalin Novak's pardon of an individual who covered up child abuse, led to Magyar's split from the Fidesz party.
Magyar accused the government structure, which included his then-wife, former Justice Minister Judit Varga, of being a "mafia regime," and gained widespread public support through released audio recordings.
A NEW ERA: FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION AND PRO-EU POLITICS
Winning 141 of the 199 seats in the elections, securing a two-thirds majority, Magyar declared that his priorities in the new term would be fighting corruption and repairing strained relations with the European Union. Thousands of citizens watched the oath ceremony on giant screens set up on Hungarian streets and celebrated the post-Orban era with festivities.