By Al Jazeera staff and News AgenciesPublished On 13 Apr 202613 Apr 2026Hungary’s prime minister-in-waiting, Peter Magyar, has pledged to restore relations with the European Union and implement domestic reforms as he outlined his plans following a landslide victory in elections.Speaking on Monday, hours after his Tisza party was declared to have unseated Viktor Orban’s Fidesz following 16 years of “illiberal” rule, Magyar said he would fight corruption and change the constitution to limit future prime ministers to two terms.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listThe departure of Orban – who has spent years crafting Hungary’s democratic pillars to retain his grip on power, obstructing the EU, and pulling the country back towards Russia – has been welcomed across Europe. However, the focus is now on Magyar and where he will lead the Central European nation of nine million.Speaking at a news conference, Magyar said he will introduce sweeping anti-corruption reforms, Orban’s regime having been accused of widespread graft, with a new office to investigate suspected incidents and another to oversee government spending.“We will do everything to restore the rule of law, plural democracy, and the system of checks and balances,” he said.Magyar said the constitutional amendment means that Orban will be prevented from returning as prime minister. Orban changed the constitution numerous times to tilt the electoral system and retain power.“He had a great opportunity to do huge things in the national interest to ensure that Hungary became a developing European country… He did not use this chance, but abused it,” Magyar said.‘Everyone knows Ukraine is the victim in the war’Orban’s foreign policy, which secured cheap Russian energy by tilting towards Moscow, had isolated Hungary within the EU. Advertisement Magyar said throughout the campaign that he would seek to turn that around, although his approach towards Brussels and Ukraine remains something of an unknown.Magyar insisted that Hungary will remain committed to both the EU and NATO, describing them as key guarantees of peace.He reiterated that he would end Hungary’s reliance on Russian oil and gas by 2035 and pledged to pur …
