Hungary: Peter Magyar sworn in as prime minister

Conservative ‌Peter Magyar ⁠was ⁠sworn in ​as Hungary's new ​prime minister ​on ‌Saturday.

Magyar's center-right Tisza party defeated Viktor Orban's right-wing populist Fidesz by a landslide last month, ending his 16-year rule.

"Hungarian ​people have given us a mandate to put an end to decades of drifting," Magyar said. "They have given us a mandate to open a new chapter in Hungary's history. Not only to change the government, ​but to change the system as well. To start again."

Hundreds of people gathered outside parliament to watch the swearing-in ceremony on big screens.

What changes has Magyar promised?

Magyar's Tisza party won 141 of parliament's 199 seats in the April elections, giving it the two-thirds majority needed to change the constitution and push through reforms.

The 45-year-old has pledged to tackle corruption and undo policies enacted under Orban to control the judiciary, the media and other sectors.

He has also vowed to repair ties with the EU. Relations between the NATO member and the bloc were strained under Orban, who moved closer to Moscow and opposed EU efforts to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion. 

Magyar inherits an economy that only just emerged from stagnation in the first quarter and is now coming under pressure from surging energy costs related to the war in the Middle East.

One of his first tasks as prime minister will be trying to unblock billions of euros in suspended EU funding to help kickstart the economy. The money was frozen during Orban's time in office due concerns about rule of law and corruption in Hungary.

Hungary's election victor Peter Magyar faces major hurdles

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Edited by: Karl Sexton