Hungary’s new prime minister, Péter Magyar, delivered his first speech after inauguration on Saturday, striking a radically different tone from his predecessor, Viktor Orbán. He apologized to those who had been maligned by the state during Orbán’s 16-year rule, as questions swirl about how he will lead the country into a new era.
Apology for Stigmatization
Magyar addressed those who had paid a personal price for speaking out against the erosion of rights under Orbán and his Fidesz party. “I apologise to all those civilians, teachers, journalists, health workers and public figures who have been stigmatised, harassed, or treated as enemies for daring to speak out, for daring to stand up for the vulnerable, for criticising, or for simply expressing a different opinion,” he said. “I apologise.”
This was a poignant nod to Orbán’s targeting of civil society groups and critical media through investigations, smear campaigns, and bureaucratic hurdles. Some opponents faced legal charges, such as Budapest’s liberal mayor Gergely Karácsony and a Roma organizer charged for organizing Pride marches—a first in the EU. A prominent investigative journalist was charged with espionage, though charges were dropped after Magyar’s landslide victory.
Call for Unity
Magyar struck a unifying tone, calling on Hungarians to come together. “What connects us will be stronger than what divides us,” he said. “Hungary will be home for every Hungarian, and everyone can feel like they have a place in the Hungarian nation. Family, friends and communities will be able to speak to each other again.”
Veronika Kövesdi, a researcher at Eötvös Loránd University, told Telex that the speech could help heal the country. “It’s a very special act ... There are material things that people want to see this government do, but there are also emotional expectations,” she said. “We’re talking about healing, a shift in public sentiment, or the way we talk to each other. Society wants this.” She described it as an act of reconciliation, “but he highlights that making peace with something doesn’t mean that we will forget it”.
Contrast with Orbán
Magyar’s message contrasted sharply with Orbán, who skipped the ceremony, breaking tradition by not shaking his successor’s hand. Instead, Orbán reaffirmed his rhetoric on Sunday, warning against surrendering national sovereignty. “The new guys must understand one thing very clearly. If you do not fight for Hungary in Brussels, the Brusselians will walk all over you,” he wrote on social media. “Giving up our patriotic position and surrendering national sovereignty for money or political approval would be a historic mistake. Foreign elites must not be allowed to decide our future for us!”
Questions About Leadership
As Magyar prepares to push through cabinet nominations, questions linger about what kind of leader he will be. During his campaign, he promised to crack down on corruption and restore democratic institutions, vowing to dismantle Orbán’s system “brick by brick”. However, details remain vague. Analysts note his ability to rally crowds and tendency to dodge hardline questioning, reminiscent of Orbán himself. “In a way, Magyar is like Orbán 20 years ago without all the baggage, the corruption and the mistakes made in power,” Andrzej Sadecki of the Centre for Eastern Studies told AFP.
Many voters acknowledged similarities but described their votes as a gamble. “Magyar is not a saint, but Fidesz needs to go,” said Anita, 33, in Kecskemét. A recent poll suggested over 70% of Magyar voters want more action on climate crisis and LGBTQ+ rights, hinting at conflicting pressures. Left-of-centre and liberal parties are absent from parliament for the first time since 1990. Still, liberals like Budapest’s mayor are willing to give Magyar the benefit of the doubt. “It’s been a long time since I saw so many happy, liberated people in Budapest,” Karácsony wrote on social media. “It’s a great start.”
