Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, intends to dismantling the autocratic power structure established by his predecessor, Viktor Orbán, aiming instead to reestablish democracy and the rule of law in the country. Speaking to “Der Spiegel”, he stated that “the puppets must step down”.
Magyar’s party, Tisza, achieved a constitutional change majority in the recent parliamentary elections in April, ousting Orbán after 16 years in power. According to Magyar, the public reached a tipping point where they could no longer accept the “propaganda lies”. He elaborated, “We showed that Orbán’s claims lack any real basis. Eventually, people stop being afraid and start laughing. That is when the situation shifts”.
His agenda includes cleaning up old networks and entrenched interests. Magyar clarified that the voters did not simply endorse a change of government, but rather a fundamental systemic overhaul. He has already called upon numerous Orbán loyalists, including the president, to resign from their positions. While maintaining his commitment to adherence to legal standards, Magyar proposed limiting the prime ministership to an eight-year term, a rule he affirmed would apply to him as well. “We will take further steps to prevent the misuse of power that occurred over the past 16 years”.
Regarding foreign policy, Magyar announced a shift in Hungary’s approach to Ukraine. He stated unequivocally that “Ukraine is the victim and Russia is the aggressor in this war”.
