Peter Magyar Sworn In as Hungary's New Prime Minister, Ends Emergency Rule

Peter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s new Prime Minister on May 9, following a decisive election victory that ended Viktor Orban’s long-standing rule. Addressing a large crowd, Magyar called for the resignation of the president and former state officials, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability to heal societal polarization. His new cabinet immediately began addressing urgent national issues, marking a significant shift in foreign policy by summoning the Russian ambassador after drone attacks in western Ukraine. Symbolically, the EU flag was raised on the parliament building for the first time since 2014. Additionally, the new government officially ended six years of emergency rule, which had allowed governance by decree since 2020. While some emergency decrees were converted into ordinary laws to prevent economic shock, the finance minister indicated that market price interventions would not be sustained long-term. The separate state of crisis due to migration, in place since 2015, is set to expire in September but can be terminated earlier by the new administration. This transition marks a pivotal moment for Hungary’s democratic institutions and its alignment with European norms.