Péter Magyar and his victorious Tisza party have wasted no time preparing for the transfer of power in Hungary after their dramatic landslide defeat of Viktor Orbán last Sunday.
They won 52% of the vote to put an end to his party's 16 years of continuous rule, which translates into 141 seats in the 199-seat National Assembly.
Orbán's Fidesz have slumped from 135 to 52 seats.
The count will be finalized on Saturday - including recounts in closely tied constituencies and votes cast abroad. Magyar has won a pledge from President Tamás Sulyok to bring forward the formation of the new parliament to the week beginning 4 May, allowing the parliament to elect the new government.
He also gave combative interviews to public service TV and radio, which have largely ignored or attacked him for the past two years. He has promised to pass laws to suspend their news programs until impartial editors can be appointed.
With a super-majority in parliament, Magyar plans to limit the number of terms a prime minister can serve to two, effectively closing the door on a potential return for Orbán, who has already served five terms.
In an interview, Orbán acknowledged the significance of the defeat, stating, This is the end of an era. We must bear this defeat with dignity. He expressed a sense of loss and responsibility but did not analyze major campaign errors.
As Tisza supporters express urgency for accountability regarding corruption, Magyar has set expectations high. Rumors of arrests for corruption circulate, and Magyar's direct message to Fidesz members is clear: accountability is coming.
Among the tasks ahead, Magyar intends to recover stolen state assets and join the Luxembourg-based European Public Prosecutor's Office to strengthen the fight against corruption.
In a significant shift in policy and public sentiment, 18-29 year-olds largely supported Tisza, signaling their desire for change in both government action and public investment. Magyar’s administration will face numerous challenges, including a struggling economy and the need to meet EU standards to unlock withheld funds.
As Hungary teeters on the brink of a new political landscape, the eyes of Europe will be captivated by what unfolds under Magyar's leadership.
