The China Mail - Magyar to become Hungary's 'regime change' PM

The former government-insider-turned-critic scored a landslide victory last month pledging wide-ranging reforms to fight corruption.

Magyar, 45, also wants to undo changes Orban -- who fostered close ties with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin -- made to institutions to control the judiciary, media, academia and other sectors.

Magyar's Tisza party won 141 of parliament's 199 seats in the April 12 election, a comfortable two-thirds majority enabling it to change the constitution and push through key reforms.

As one of his most urgent tasks, Magyar is trying to unlock billions of euros in EU funds locked by Brussels over rule-of-law concerns.

Magyar will take the oath of office during parliament's inaugural session, opening at 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) and will be live-streamed on large screens set up around the parliamentary building.

Lawmakers are expected to elect Magyar as prime minister in the afternoon and he is then expected to address supporters outside parliament.

- High expectations -

Last week, Magyar met European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen for talks.

Hungary faces serious challenges, including a stagnating economy and falling public services, which analysts say need long-term structural reorganisation.

"There is a lot of patience and goodwill toward the new government, but the expectations are through the roof and need to be met in the short-term as well," Andrea Virag, director of strategy at the liberal Republikon Institute think tank, told AFP.

Magyar has urged the president and other Orban allies to resign as part of his "regime change". He has also called on the authorities to stop Orban's associates from moving capital abroad.

Orban said last month that he would not sit in parliament -- giving up the seat he won -- for the first time since the country's democratisation in 1990.

The 62-year-old, who aimed to turn the country of 9.5 million into a model of "illiberal democracy" and widely restricted rights, has said he would focus on the "reorganisation of the national camp".

- 'Reconciliation' -

On Saturday, lawmakers are set to elect hotelier Agnes Forsthoffer as parliament speaker, one of the many women Tisza has tapped for senior roles.

As the new ruling party pushes to deliver a more diverse representation than Orban's coalition, nominations also include lawyer Vilmos Katai-Nemeth as social and family affairs minister -- Hungary's first‑ever visually impaired minister. Roma history teacher Krisztian Koszegiwould become deputy parliament speaker.

Saturday's festivities outside and inside parliament are laden with symbolism, featuring flags and music that pays tribute to Hungary's EU membership, its sizeable Roma minority and ethnic Hungarians in neighbouring countries.

"Magyar seeks to show that he represents a form of national unity and reconciliation after Orban's politics of division," Virag said.

"With the festivities he also wants to show that it was not a mere change of government, but a start of a new era," she added.

Left‑of‑centre and liberal parties will be absent from parliament for the first time since 1990.

T.Luo--ThChM