Pro-European conservative Péter Magyar became the new Prime Minister of Hungary on Sunday, April 12. Nationalist Viktor Orbán, who has been in power for 16 years, acknowledged his defeat.
A video of a future Hungarian minister circulated widely on social media after Péter Magyar’s victory on Sunday, April 12. In the footage, Zsolt Hegedus passionately dances on stage where the new prime minister declared his victory in the legislative elections. He executes several moves to the title of house “Midnight (The Hanging Tree)” by German DJ HOSH.
Traumatology and orthopedic surgeon by training, Zsolt Hegedus is expected to become the Minister of Health under Péter Magyar. The 45-year-old pro-European conservative came out on top in the legislative elections, with his Tisza party winning two-thirds of the seats in Parliament. This put an end to the 16-year rule of nationalist Viktor Orbán.
The new prime minister thanked Russia and China, close allies of Viktor Orbán, for “accepting” his victory. Péter Magyar also announced several changes, expressing a desire for Hungary to be a constructive partner in European Union decision-making. In contrast, Viktor Orbán’s term was marked by increasing hostility towards European institutions. He notably vetoed new European sanctions against Russia in late February.
