Péter Magyar is sworn in as Hungary’s new premier

Budapest: Péter Magyar called for those who occupy high office, described as remnants of the Orbán regime, to vacate their posts by May 31. The order was extended to specifically include the country’s President Tamás Sulyok. Péter Magyar has been sworn-in as Hungary’s new PM, after taking his oath in parliament on Saturday morning, bringing an end to 16-years of Viktor Orbán rule, cementing a landslide April election victory.

Magyar post was confirmed on Saturday in the inaugural session of the National Assembly. He was appointed with 140 votes in favour, 54 against and 1 abstention.

After taking the oath, Péter Magyar said people had given his Tisza party a mandate to lead a new chapter in the country’s history, to change not only the government but the system as well. “I will not rule over Hungary, I will serve my homeland,” he stressed. “However, there can be no new beginning without reconciliation, and no reconciliation without justice,” he added. “In the house of Hun­g­arian democracy, I call on tho­se holders of high public office who were the servants of the previous system to resign today, or by 31 May at the lat­est,” said the new PM, adding, “President Tamás Sul­yok should be the first to do so.”

Breaking 36-years of tradition and protocols pertaining to government change, former PM Viktor Orbán did not deliver a speech at the inaugural parliamentary session, nor was he even present for the proceedings.

Ágnes Forsthoffer, Vice President of the Tisza Party, was elected the new speaker of parliament, and she was quick to announce her first order of business, reinstalling the EU flag on the Hungarian parliament building, after around 12 years of absence.