Peter Magyar sworn in as Hungary's prime minister to end 16-year Orban era

"Peter Magyar has been sworn in as prime minister of Hungary, marking the official end to Viktor Orban's 16 years in power. Saturday's ceremony during which Magyar had invited people to join him to write Hungarian history together and step through the gate of regime change comes a month after his opposition Tisza party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections."

"Early on Saturday, people started pouring into the square outside the country's neo-Gothic parliament to follow along as the inaugural session was broadcast on large screens. At each glimpse of Magyar, the crowd cheered, while some booed lawmakers from Fidesz and the extreme right Our Homeland party. Many in the crowd had travelled hours to be there."

"This is the first time I feel like it's good to be Hungarian, said Erzsebet Medve, 68, who had come from Miskolc in north-eastern Hungary. I feel like I could cry. As a school teacher, she had long watched in frustration as Orban and his Fidesz government left the education system deprived of funds. The government had enough money, but they didn't spend it there."

"As she spoke, the crowd behind her began cheering wildly as the newly elected speaker of the house, Agnes Forsthoffer, announced that the EU flag would be returned to the building after it was taken down by Fidesz in 2014. The EU flag is returned to the facade of the par"

Peter Magyar, a pro-European centre-right leader, was sworn in as prime minister of Hungary, ending Viktor Orban’s 16 years in power. The inauguration followed a month after the opposition Tisza party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections. Crowds gathered outside the neo-Gothic parliament to watch the inaugural session on large screens, cheering at Magyar and booing lawmakers from Fidesz and the extreme right Our Homeland party. Supporters described renewed national pride and hope for a more livable country, including better prospects for children and grandchildren. Many cited frustration with prior government decisions, including underfunding in education. The EU flag was announced to be returned to the building after being removed in 2014.

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