Hungary’s Magyar unveils Orban’s opulence as new expert-led cabinet takes power

Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Peter Magyar, has initiated a comprehensive restructuring of the state apparatus, declaring Saturday as "regime change day" following the formal transfer of power from Viktor Orban. The transition, completed within a month of Orban’s 16-year tenure, sees Magyar swearing in a cabinet composed almost exclusively of non-political experts, including a former diplomat, an oil company manager, and an orthopaedic surgeon. This departure from career politics signals an intent to depoliticise key government functions and restore institutional integrity.

In a move designed to expose the excesses of the previous administration, Magyar released videos on Monday from Orban’s official residence in Buda Castle and two ministries. The footage revealed gigantic, luxuriously furnished rooms and nearly 100 valuable paintings from the Hungarian National Gallery, details Magyar compared to the extravagance of the Ceausescu era in Romania. One video garnered eight million views in a single day, resonating with a public eager to see the former elite’s wealth scrutinised as Hungary faces economic and environmental challenges.

Symbolic gestures accompanied the political overhaul, with Parliamentary President Agnes Forsthoffer ordering the European Union flag raised at Parliament 12 years after its removal. The session also featured the first performance of Hungary’s unofficial Roma anthem, sung by Roma and non-Roma children, and a poignant appearance by singer Ibolya Olah in Parliament Square. Olah, who had faced threats from nationalists for years, performed "There is a country, Hungary," marking a significant moment of social reconciliation and the restoration of press freedoms largely curtailed under Orban.

The new government has outlined a robust agenda focused on accountability and legal reform. Magyar and Minister Balint Ruff announced one of the most comprehensive investigations into government spending in Hungarian history, alongside plans to establish an independent anti-corruption authority and an office for recovering illegally acquired assets. Additionally, authorities are scheduled to publish the names of former state security agents in the autumn, a transparency measure delayed for three decades.

Addressing immediate practical concerns, Magyar held his inaugural cabinet meeting in the southern village of Opusztaszer to discuss severe drought conditions affecting the region. The government has also announced a drastic pay cut for the Prime Minister and ministers, contrasting sharply with Orban’s status as the highest-paid European leader relative to national average wages. These measures underscore Magyar’s commitment to setting higher ethical standards and fostering a dialogue with civil society and the media.