Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary's new prime minister on Saturday, ushering in a new era for the Central European country after right-wing populist Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power.
The Hungarian parliament voted by an overwhelming majority of 140 of 199 lawmakers to confirm Magyar as the country's new head of government.
Four members of the unicameral National Assembly in Budapest did not take part in the vote, which preceded Magyar's swearing in. There were also 54 votes against and one abstention - by Magyar himself.
"Today is officially the first day of the system change," the 45-year-old said in the morning before entering the parliament building with the parliamentary group of his Tisza party.
Tisza won a landslide victory in last month's parliamentary election with 53% of the vote. Its 141 seats in the new parliament gives it a two-thirds majority capable of amending the constitution.
Orbán’s Fidesz secured 39% of the votes and 52 seats, while the far-right party Our Homeland (Mi Hazánk) garnered just under 6% and received six seats in the assembly. No other parties cleared the 5% threshold.
In his first speech as prime minister, Magyar said he was "moved in this solemn moment" and noted the enormous responsibility he now bears.
He also took aim at the Orbán government, saying: "We have inherited a Hungary that is one of the most corrupt countries in the EU," and vowed to overcome the political divisions in society. "Are we capable of seeing Hungary as a shared history once again? I believe so!"
The challenge is on
Magyar was himself a member of Fidesz before breaking from it two years ago and presenting himself as an alternative to the increasingly authoritarian Orbán.
Throughout his time in power, Orbán had dismantled the rule of law and eroded democracy in Hungary.
His version of “illiberal democracy” inspired right-wing populists worldwide - from Germany’s Alternative for Germany party to the MAGA movement surrounding US President Donald Trump - while his pro-Russian and anti-Ukraine stance caused friction with the European Union.
Magyar now faces domestic pressure to focus on the high cost of living and anti-corruption reforms. While the public is broadly pro-EU, it is divided over support for Ukraine.
During the election campaign, Magyar promised to turn Hungary into a "humane and functioning country," while declaring war on the corruption that took root under Orbán.
Meanwhile, millions of voters are pinning their hopes on the election winner to restore the rule of law in the Central European country and repair its damaged relationship with the EU.
Magyar wants to secure the around €18 billion ($21.1 billion) in EU aid that the bloc had frozen due to breaches of the rule of law and corruption under Orbán.
To this end, Magyar and his foreign minister Anita Orbán – no relation to the outgoing leader - had already entered into intensive negotiations with the European Commission ahead of the change of government.
Both Brussels and Kiev are optimistic that dealing with the new Hungarian leader will be more constructive than with the Russia-friendly Orbán.
European Council President António Costa congratulated Magyar following his inauguration on Saturday, noting in an X post that the Hungarian was taking office on Europe Day, when the "achievements of EU cooperation and unity" are celebrated.
Ukraine's recovery of confiscated funds from Hungary and Budapest lifting its veto on the huge EU loan for Kiev are signs that things are indeed moving in this direction.
Tisza politician Agnes Forsthoffer, who was elected as speaker of the National Assembly sent a positive signal to the EU in her first official act - ordering the EU flag, which was removed by Orbán, to be reinstalled on the parliament building.
Call for president's resignation
Since the April election, Magyar has called on officials installed by Orbán in key institutions to resign voluntarily, setting a deadline of May 31.
Among "Orbán's puppets" - as Magyar refers to them - is President Tamás Sulyok, as well as the presidents of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court Péter Polt and András Varga, and Chief Prosecutor Gábor Bálint Nagy.
If they do not resign, Magyar could ultimately remove them from office using Tisza's parliamentary majority.
In his inaugural address, Magyar sharply attacked Sulyok, who was sitting in the visitors' gallery, telling him: “Resign while you can still do so with dignity!” Sulyok has not uttered a word about Orbán’s abuse of power and the harassment of critics.