Péter Magyar apologizes to Orbán-era critics in first speech as prime minister
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 10
Péter Magyar apologizes to Orbán-era critics in first speech as prime minister
13 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 10
After being sworn in on Saturday, Hungary's new leader apologised to civilians, teachers, journalists, health workers and public figures stigmatised or harassed during Orbán's 16 years in power.
He urged national unity and promised a freer, more humane Hungary, while Orbán skipped the ceremony and later renewed his nationalist rhetoric about Brussels and sovereignty.
Magyar's Tisza party won a landslide last month, but his agenda beyond anti-corruption and restoring democratic institutions remains unclear as cabinet nominations begin and liberals stay out of parliament.
Will Hungary's new leader use his landslide victory to restore democracy or simply become a new Orbán?
An insider exposed the regime's corruption. But can he truly purge a system he was once a part of?
Hungary’s 2026 Democratic Turn: Péter Magyar’s Inauguration, Anti-Corruption Drive, and EU Reconciliation After 16 Years of Orbán Rule
Overview
On May 9, 2026, Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s Prime Minister, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule after the Tisza party’s landslide victory. Magyar’s inaugural speech marked a dramatic shift, focusing on reconciliation and unity by formally apologizing to those harmed or excluded during the previous era. This gesture acknowledged past grievances and set a new, inclusive tone for the nation. The transition signaled the start of significant change, with hopes for a more transparent, accountable, and democratic Hungary, as the new leadership committed to healing divisions and moving the country in a new direction.