Péter Magyar has officially been sworn in as Hungary’s new prime minister, marking the end of Viktor Orbán’s 16-year dominance over the country’s political landscape.
During the inauguration ceremony at the Hungarian parliament in Budapest, Magyar promised a leadership focused on public service rather than power. “I will not rule over Hungary — I will serve my country,” he declared after taking the oath of office.
His party, Tisza Party, secured a historic landslide victory in the recent legislative elections, winning 141 of the 199 parliamentary seats. The result is particularly remarkable given that the movement was founded only two years ago.
Large crowds were expected to gather along the Danube in Budapest for what supporters described as a “celebration of freedom and democracy”. Magyar called on Hungarians to embrace what he referred to as a “gateway of regime change”.
The defeat of Orbán’s Fidesz party was severe. The former ruling party dropped from 135 seats to just 52 and is now facing internal uncertainty. Orbán and several senior party figures have reportedly decided not to take their seats in parliament, while promising to eventually “rebuild the national side”.
The political transition has also intensified scrutiny over alleged corruption during the previous administration. Several accusations and investigations targeting figures linked to the former government have emerged in recent weeks.
Incoming Minister for Social Relations and Culture, Zoltán Tarr, warned that the new administration is inheriting a difficult economic situation. According to him, public finances have deteriorated following heavy government spending during Orbán’s final months in office.
The new authorities say they intend to reform governance practices and restore public confidence in state institutions. Magyar has repeatedly promised not only a change of government, but a complete “change of system”.
The incoming administration is also seeking to project an image of greater political integrity. Businessman György Wáberer recently revealed he had donated a significant amount of money to Tisza after switching support from Fidesz. Magyar later returned the funds in an effort to avoid controversy.
In another gesture aimed at reducing accusations of favoritism, Márton Melléthei-Barna, the prime minister’s brother-in-law, withdrew his candidacy for justice minister after criticism on social media.
The government insists it will avoid political revenge, but officials say individuals involved in financial crimes or misuse of public resources will face investigations under the rule of law.
Several probes are already underway. Authorities are reportedly examining companies linked to businessman Gyula Balásy, whose media empire benefited from major government contracts during the Orbán years.
Investigators are also looking into the management of Hungary’s National Cultural Fund and allegations that public funds may have been used to support political campaigns connected to Fidesz.
One of the biggest challenges facing the new government remains its relationship with the European Union. Around €17 billion in European funds remain frozen due to disputes between Brussels and the previous Hungarian administration over governance and rule-of-law concerns.
Migration policy and relations with Ukraine are also expected to remain sensitive issues. Although Magyar supports closer cooperation with the EU, he has maintained that Hungary still depends heavily on Russian oil and gas supplies in the short term.
Despite the challenges ahead, members of the new government say they are optimistic about rebuilding trust both domestically and internationally.
About the author
Le Togo renforce la gouvernance du secteur halieutique
Le Togo poursuit ses efforts pour moderniser son secteur halieutique avec l'ouverture, le 28 juillet 2026 à Lomé, d'un atelier national consacré à l'amélioration de la gouvernance de la pêche et de l'aquaculture. Pendant quatre jours, des représentants des administrations publiques, des professionnels du secteur et des partenaires techniques examinent les réformes nécessaires pour aligner la stratégie nationale sur le Cadre politique et de la stratégie de réforme de la pêche et de l'aquaculture (CPSR) de l'Union africaine. Organisée dans le cadre de la deuxième phase du projet FishGov2, avec le soutien financier de l'Union européenne (UE), cette rencontre vise à renforcer la gestion durable des ressources halieutiques et à accélérer le développement du secteur. Évaluer les politiques nationales Les participants analysent la conformité des politiques togolaises avec les orientations de l'Union africaine afin d'identifier les points forts, les insuffisances […]
Le Togo obtient un appui de la BAD pour l’industrie
Le Togo fait partie des cinq pays africains sélectionnés pour bénéficier d'un financement de 3,48 millions de dollars approuvé par le Fonds africain de développement (FAD), le guichet concessionnel du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (BAD). Ce financement profitera également au Cameroun, au Tchad, aux Comores et à Madagascar. Il vise à renforcer les politiques industrielles et commerciales de ces pays tout en accélérant la mise en œuvre de la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf). Le projet prévoit notamment la réalisation d'études sur l'Initiative pour le développement industriel accéléré de l'Afrique (AIDA). Il permettra aussi de renforcer les capacités des administrations publiques afin de concevoir des politiques basées sur des données fiables, tout en intégrant les enjeux liés au climat, à l'égalité des genres et au développement des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME). Selon la Banque africaine […]
Lomé accueille le Forum sur la protection des données
Lomé accueille depuis le 28 juillet 2026 la deuxième édition du Forum international sur la protection des données à caractère personnel, un rendez-vous qui réunit des experts, des régulateurs et des professionnels du numérique autour des défis liés à la protection des données dans un environnement numérique en pleine évolution. L'événement, qui s'achève le 29 juillet, rassemble des spécialistes de la cybersécurité, de la gouvernance des données et de la transformation numérique, ainsi que des représentants des secteurs public et privé venus du Togo et de plusieurs pays de la sous-région. Placée sous le thème « Sécuriser le capital confiance, maîtriser les risques », cette édition met l'accent sur les stratégies permettant de renforcer la confiance numérique tout en protégeant les informations personnelles des citoyens et des organisations. Les discussions portent notamment sur les évolutions des réglementations, les défis liés […]
Palakiyem Assih prend la tête du conseil de CDA
Le Togolais Palakiyem Assih a été nommé président du Conseil d'administration de Cyber Defense Africa (CDA), a annoncé l'entreprise le 28 juillet 2026. Cette nomination marque une nouvelle étape dans la carrière de ce spécialiste de la cybersécurité, impliqué dans le développement de l'entreprise depuis sa création en 2019. Avant d'accéder à cette fonction, Palakiyem Assih occupait le poste de directeur technique (Chief Technology Officer - CTO) de Cyber Defense Africa. Il dirigeait également le CERT.tg, le centre national chargé de la réponse aux incidents de cybersécurité au Togo. Au fil des années, il a joué un rôle important dans le renforcement des capacités du pays en matière de cybersécurité et dans le développement des activités techniques de l'entreprise. Le cofondateur et directeur général de Cyber Defense Africa, Simon Melchior, a salué cette nomination, estimant qu'elle récompense l'engagement, le professionnalisme […]
Togo : les projets Banque mondiale sous évaluation
Le gouvernement togolais souhaite améliorer la performance des projets réalisés avec le soutien de la Banque mondiale afin d'assurer un meilleur impact sur les populations. Le mardi 28 juillet 2026 à Lomé, les coordinateurs des projets du portefeuille Togo–Banque mondiale ont participé à une réunion d'évaluation présidée par la ministre, Secrétaire générale de la Présidence du Conseil, Sandra Johnson. Cette rencontre s'inscrit dans le cadre de la mise en œuvre de la feuille de route gouvernementale 2026-2031. L'objectif principal de cette revue était de comparer l'état d'avancement des projets et les niveaux de décaissement avec les résultats obtenus sur le terrain. Les autorités veulent désormais s'assurer que les investissements financés profitent réellement aux bénéficiaires et améliorent leurs conditions de vie. Premier partenaire technique et financier du Togo, la Banque mondiale intervient dans plusieurs secteurs clés, notamment les infrastructures, l'éducation, la […]
Sonam Wangchuk Extends Hunger Strike in India
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has entered the 26th day of his hunger strike, saying he has lost 11 kilograms but remains determined to continue until the government guarantees the safety of student protesters. Wangchuk, widely known as "Sonam Sir," has become the face of a nationwide movement led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding major education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated examination paper leaks. The activist was removed from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday and admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he remains under medical care while continuing his fast. Hospital officials said Wangchuk is being treated by a multidisciplinary team and remains stable. They added that all medical care is being provided with his informed consent. Protests Continue Despite Police Crackdown Thousands of […]
Related
US hopeful Hormuz Strait deal will be done ‘today or tomorrow’ after ship hit
Washington is expressing optimism that talks involving Iran and Oman will soon restore safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil supplies. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC there is “a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict,” saying any agreement would ensure freedom of movement rather than allow Iran to charge tolls. His comments echoed President Donald Trump, who said progress in talks had led him to hold off on further military strikes while negotiators work on a framework to reopen the waterway. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US is “involved” in negotiations between Oman and Iran aimed at increasing safe traffic through the strait, noting that around 20 per cent of global […]
Iran denies negotiating with US after Trump announces talks
Tehran rejected Trump’s claim that talks were set to begin as part of efforts to end the conflict, saying no negotiations are currently taking place with Washington. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the country is “not currently negotiating with the United States,” adding that Iran’s talks are instead with Oman over passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The denial came after Trump said he had postponed further strikes to allow diplomacy to continue and claimed new discussions would start Monday. The exchange came amid a war that Reuters described as being in its sixth month, with tensions also affecting oil markets after Trump’s remarks. Iran’s response suggests there is still a gap between Washington’s public claims and Tehran’s position on the status of talks.
US introduces $20,000 visa bond for Nigerians, others over overstay concerns
The United States says the new rule is aimed at curbing visa overstays and improving compliance among visitors from countries flagged for high overstay rates and weak identity or document verification systems. Under the policy, consular officers will decide whether an applicant must post a refundable bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, depending on factors such as travel purpose, employment, income and ties to the home country. The bond will be refunded without interest if the visitor leaves the US within the approved period and complies with visa conditions, but it will be forfeited if the holder overstays or violates the terms of the visa. The policy formalises and expands a pilot programme launched in August 2025, which the US State Department says showed a sharp drop in overstays among affected applicants. It also said the pilot reduced demand significantly, […]
Hamas agrees to disarm under Trump plan, but no word from Israel
The Palestinian Islamist movement says it accepts a ceasefire roadmap that includes handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing committee and a staged Israeli pullout from Gaza, while Israel remains unconvinced the proposal meets its security demands. Hamas announced on Friday that it had agreed to a deal unveiled by President Trump, under which its weapons would be placed under the control of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a Palestinian body backed by Trump’s Board of Peace. The agreement is tied to a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force alongside a new Palestinian police force to secure the territory. A senior Israeli political source told AFP that the draft did not “satisfactorily” address Israel’s demand for full demilitarisation of Gaza, insisting on the “complete disarmament of Hamas, including […]
Thousands cross from Morocco into Spain in new migrant crisis
Thousands of migrants have crossed overnight from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, overwhelming local authorities and prompting Madrid to deploy troops to the border. A police source said on July 31 that it was impossible to give an exact total, but in recent days around 40,000 migrants have entered the territory, which has a population of about 80,000. At least 18 people have died while attempting the dangerous crossing, many drowning as they swam around the Tarajal beach breakwater or tried to breach coastal barriers. The sudden mass influx has triggered what security forces describe as “absolute chaos,” with men, women and children arriving by land and sea, discarding flotation rings and clothes as they stream into Ceuta. Local authorities have declared an emergency, warning that reception facilities are overwhelmed and that thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied […]
Thousands cross from Morocco into Spain in new migrant crisis
Thousands of migrants have crossed overnight from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, overwhelming local authorities and prompting Madrid to deploy troops to the border. A police source said on July 31 that it was impossible to give an exact total, but in recent days around 40,000 migrants have entered the territory, which has a population of about 80,000. At least 18 people have died while attempting the dangerous crossing, many drowning as they swam around the Tarajal beach breakwater or tried to breach coastal barriers.france24+2 The sudden mass influx has triggered what security forces describe as “absolute chaos,” with men, women and children arriving by land and sea, discarding flotation rings and clothes as they stream into Ceuta. Local authorities have declared an emergency, warning that reception facilities are overwhelmed and that thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied […]