Here’s when Hungary’s new government can officially form, and what their first plans are

Hungary is moving rapidly towards the formation of a new government following recent parliamentary elections, with significant developments emerging from early negotiations and statements by newly elected prime minister Péter Magyar.

Reforms regarding the inauguration ceremony

The country’s new National Assembly is expected to convene on 9 May, a date that has broadly gained support during initial cross-party consultations.

On the same day, lawmakers may elect Péter Magyar as Prime Minister—an unusual step in Hungary’s post-1990 political history, as such votes have traditionally taken place several days after the inaugural session.

Although the final date will be formally set by the President of the Republic, early May remains the most likely timeframe.

Proper discussions started between the three parties

The first preparatory meeting brought together representatives from the three parties that entered parliament: the Tisza Party, Fidesz–KDNP, and Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland).

Their discussions focused on key procedural matters, including the verification of mandates, the process of taking oaths, preparations for the inaugural session, parliamentary seating arrangements, the election of officials, the structure of committees, and issues related to foreign affairs and diplomacy.

Participants from all sides described the talks as constructive, signalling a more cooperative tone than in previous years. Mi Hazánk leader László Toroczkai highlighted that the atmosphere was notably more productive than during similar negotiations four years ago.

Péter Magyar also emphasised his party’s commitment to flexibility and compromise, even as the Tisza Party anticipates securing a large parliamentary presence, potentially reaching up to 142 MPs once vote counting is finalised.

Changes in Hungary’s parliament being considered

Several structural changes to parliamentary operations are under consideration. Each parliamentary party would receive one deputy speaker position, with Fidesz and KDNP treated as separate entities. Plans also include the establishment of around 20 committees, accompanied by simplifications and possible renaming.

The Tisza Party has indicated its intention to expand opposition representation within these committees compared to previous parliamentary cycles, while further discussions are expected regarding ad hoc and investigative bodies.

Giving the opposition their rights back

A central theme of Magyar’s remarks was the strengthening of the opposition rights in Hungary. He pledged to ensure that opposition powers are consistently safeguarded and expressed hope that the new parliament would feature genuine political debates, in contrast to what he described as a lack of meaningful discourse in recent years.

While the governing majority intends to provide broader opportunities for opposition participation, Magyar noted that how these opportunities are utilised will ultimately depend on the opposition parties themselves.

Most important ministers to be announced soon

Regarding government formation, Magyar confirmed that the names of several prospective ministers are expected to be announced next week. Multiple candidates are under consideration for key portfolios, including education and culture, and no final decisions have yet been made.

Parliamentary committees are expected to begin hearings of ministerial candidates shortly after the inaugural session, potentially as early as the following Monday or Tuesday, allowing for the swift establishment of the new government.

Repairing ties with the EU is crucial

Relations with the European Union are also a priority. High-level discussions with an EU delegation are already underway, even before the government is formally established.

Magyar stressed the urgency of these negotiations, noting that Hungary faces tight deadlines to access funding from the EU Recovery Facility, with a key deadline at the end of August. He indicated that he plans to travel to Brussels soon after his expected election in order to secure a political agreement.

An unbelievable amount of money has been wasted in the last 16 years

Magyar also delivered strong criticism of previous parliamentary spending practices, describing them as “astonishing wastefulness.”

According to figures provided by parliamentary officials, MPs previously received around HUF 10 million per month in addition to their already hefty salaries, with annual additional costs reaching HUF tens of billions.

Over a full parliamentary cycle, this amounted to roughly HUF 100–120 billion. Hungary’s incoming government intends to introduce greater transparency and significantly reduce these expenditures.

A different inaugural session than previous ones

Ceremonial elements of the inaugural session were also discussed. There appears to be openness to incorporating symbolic features such as taking oaths before the Holy Crown of Hungary and including the Székely Anthem in the proceedings.

In addition, the Tisza Party is planning a large public event in Kossuth Square on the day of the inauguration, aiming to allow broader public participation in the transition.

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A special committee for social participation

“There will be a committee on social participation, whose role will be to ensure that all proposals—even beyond the scope of public consultation—are brought before it, where any group in society can voice its opinion,” said Hungary’s new prime minister.

The Tisza chairman was also asked about social policy issues, but he said that their future Minister of Social Affairs or Minister of Economy would be able to provide detailed answers on those matters. He noted that their program covers every detail and that Kriszta Bódis has also spoken about the topic on several occasions.

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Trying to hasten the process as much as they can

Finally, political leaders have signalled their intention to avoid a prolonged transitional period in which the outgoing government remains in place while a new prime minister has already been elected.

There is broad agreement that the formation of the new government should proceed swiftly after the inaugural session, ensuring continuity and stability.

With an early May parliamentary session, an accelerated timeline for government formation, and immediate engagement with European partners, the coming weeks are set to play a decisive role in shaping the country’s domestic and international direction.

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