Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister on Saturday, marking the end of Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule. The transition. Widely seen as a significant political shift, drew large crowds to the neo-Gothic parliament in Budapest, where the EU flag,removed under Orbán—was displayed for the first time in 12 years, according to Al Jazeera.

A New Chapter for Hungary

Magyar’s inauguration followed a landslide victory in the national elections, which he described as a mandate to launch a “new chapter” in the country’s history, but In his parliamentary address, he vowed to change not just the government, but the system as well, according to The Guardian. “A mandate not only to change the government, but to change the system as well. To start again,” he said.

Magyar criticized Orbán’s administration for turning Hungary into the most corrupt country in the EU. He added that Orbán’s associates and the elite had a long way to go before being confronted for their actions. Magyar also urged Orbán-era appointees to resign by the end of the month, starting with President Tamás Sulyok, who had just nominated him to form a government. Outside parliament, crowds applauded the comment, according to The Guardian.

EU Relations and Challenges

Magyar’s government aims to secure around $20 billion in frozen EU funding that was withheld over concerns about worsening human rights and a decline in the rule of law under Orbán, according to Al Jazeera. This would require proving his administration is different from the previous one while working through the bureaucracy left behind by Orbán, a former prime minister who used his veto to oppose sanctions on Russia and block support for Ukraine.

Theofanis Exadaktylos, a professor of European politics at the University of Surrey, told Al Jazeera that Magyar faces the challenge of uprooting the previous establishment. “Orbán was in power for such a long time and has managed to change Hungary substantially from an administrative point of view. To that end, uprooting the previous establishment will be a challenge,” he said. Exadaktylos also noted that Magyar must prove he is different from Orbán to gain public trust, despite his own right-leaning background.

Vision for Inclusion and Justice

Magyar emphasized building a more inclusive Hungary, one that is more free, humane, and hopeful than under Orbán’s populist nationalist movement. He said, “What connects us will be stronger than what divides us,” and pledged that Hungary would be home for every Hungarian. “Family, friends and communities will be able to speak to each other again,” he added, according to The Guardian.

Magyar also vowed to seek justice against those who, even in the last hours of Orbán’s rule, were trying to “steal everything.” He reiterated calls for Orbán-era officials to resign, framing the transition as a step toward restoring trust in institutions and the rule of law. His inaugural session was broadcast on large screens outside parliament, drawing large crowds early on Saturday, according to The Guardian.