election

Péter Magyar Sworn in as Hungary's PM — EU Flag Returns to Budapest Parliament on Europe Day

| European Union

Péter Magyar (Tisza party) was sworn in as Hungary's Prime Minister on May 9, 2026 — Europe Day — following his party's landslide win in the April 12 elections, securing 141 of 199 parliamentary seats and ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year dominance. In a deeply symbolic act, the EU flag was raised on the Hungarian parliament building in Budapest for the first time since 2014. Magyar's government immediately signalled intent to normalise relations with EU institutions, unlock approximately €17 billion in frozen EU cohesion and RRF funds by reversing laws incompatible with EU standards, and end Hungary's systematic vetoes of EU decisions on Ukraine, sanctions, and enlargement. The change of government in Budapest represents arguably the most consequential domestic political development for EU institutional dynamics in a decade, removing the bloc's most persistent internal veto actor.

Péter Magyar takes the oath of office as Hungary's Prime Minister, Budapest, May 9, 2026
Péter Magyar takes the oath of office as Hungary's Prime Minister, Budapest, May 9, 2026 — Al Jazeera / AFP