Peter Magyar Officially Becomes Hungary's New Prime Minister, Ending Viktor Orban's Era

Istanbul (ANTARA) - Peter Magyar has officially become Hungary’s Prime Minister after taking the oath on Saturday, signalling the end of Viktor Orban’s era following his 16-year governance of Hungary. Magyar read his oath of office in front of parliament members after his Tisza Party achieved a landslide victory in last month’s legislative elections, defeating Orban’s nationalist-populist Fidesz party. The Tisza Party controls two-thirds of the 199 parliamentary seats, allowing it to overturn various policies established by Orban previously. Magyar entered the parliament building alongside his party colleagues, who now hold 141 seats. Meanwhile, the number of seats held by Orban’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition has collapsed to 52, with the Mi Hazank Party (Our Homeland Movement) holding the remaining 6 seats. President Tamas Sulyok previously asked Magyar to form a new government after the Tisza Party’s major victory in the April elections, according to the daily Magyar Nemzet. Sulyok acknowledged that the Hungarian people have “expressed their will” and entrusted the Tisza Party to govern the country. All 199 parliament members and 11 minority group spokespersons submitted their credentials before taking the oath of office. Magyar stated that his new government’s top priority is to combat corruption and advocate for the release of frozen EU funds due to concerns over corruption and the erosion of the rule of law in Hungary. “The most important task right now is to stop corruption and bring home the EU funds,” said Magyar. His government is also seen as restoring relations with the EU after years of tension under Viktor Orban’s administration. In the same parliamentary session, legislators also elected a new parliamentary speaker, with Agnes Forsthoffer, nominated by the Tisza Party, successfully chosen.