Hungary Cabinet nominees: Péter Magyar names first picks after Tisza election win

Péter Magyar announced the first round of Cabinet nominees after meeting the Tisza party’s parliamentary group in Budapest. Following a landslide election victory over Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Magyar said his incoming government will expand ministries from 12 to 16. The move follows pledges to restore rule of law and address corruption claims.

Hungary’s election winner Péter Magyar announced the first names for a new cabinet on Monday. The list followed the first meeting of the Tisza party’s parliamentary group. Magyar also said the next government would expand the number of ministries. The announcement came as plans moved ahead for the new parliament to meet in May.

Magyar and the centre-right Tisza party defeated Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in a landslide on April 12. The win delivered a two-thirds majority in the next parliament. That margin is set to allow changes to several policies from Orbán’s 16 years in power. Magyar is expected to replace Orbán as prime minister.

Péter Magyar cabinet and ministry expansion plans

At a news conference in Budapest on Monday, Magyar said ministries would rise to 16 from 12. Magyar also set out a wider overhaul of government structures. The plan included separate ministries for health, environmental protection and education. These ministries did not exist under Orbán’s administration.

Magyar named nominees for several key posts in the first round of cabinet selections. Anita Orbán, who is not related to the prime minister, was nominated for minister of foreign affairs. István Kapitány was picked for minister of economy and energy. András Kármán was named as the nominee for minister of finance.

Hungary election result and Péter Magyar majority

The Tisza party won 141 seats in the 199-member parliament. The result marked the largest majority in Hungary’s post-Communist history. Orbán’s far-right, euroskeptic Fidesz party was set to control 52 seats. That was down from 135 seats held before the election.

Magyar said the new parliament’s inaugural session would take place on May 9 or 10. Magyar added that lawmakers would then immediately elect a prime minister. Cabinet confirmations would follow in the days after that vote. The timetable set the next steps for a change in government leadership.

Péter Magyar pledges on rule of law and corruption

Magyar has promised to restore democratic institutions and the rule of law. Magyar said these areas weakened during Orbán’s years in power. Magyar also vowed accountability for people said to have managed and gained from corruption. Magyar said the new administration would act against what was described as widespread official wrongdoing.

Magyar said, "His party, Magyar said, would create a government that will be worthy of the Hungarian peoples trust.\" The cabinet list was described as the first round of appointments. More details were expected later as the transition continued. The process was tied to the May parliamentary session and the coming prime ministerial vote.

With inputs from PTI