After the first meeting of the Tisza Party’s 141-member parliamentary group, Péter Magyar announced the first seven cabinet appointments of his prospective government — these seven names are now almost certain fixtures in the 16-ministry cabinet.

According to current plans, the government would operate with 16 separate portfolios, and Péter Magyar has now announced the first seven ministries along with the ministers set to lead them.

The list of MPs who accepted ministerial mandates:

• Ministry of Finance: András Kármán
• Ministry of Economy and Energy: István Kapitány
• Ministry of Defence: Romulusz Ruszin‑Szendi
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Anita Orbán
• Ministry of Health: Zsolt Hegedűs
• Ministry of Living Environment: László Gajdos
• Ministry of Agriculture and Food Economy: Szabolcs Bóna

András Kármán: Minister of Finance

András Kármán, an economist who entered parliament from the Tisza party list in 21st place, will take charge of the budget and tax matters. He previously worked at the Hungarian National Bank from 1997 and served briefly as State Secretary for Taxation and Financial Regulation in Viktor Orbán’s government after 2010.

Returning to government now places him in a far tougher position, since some of the Tisza programme’s most sensitive economic pledges are tied to him, from cuts to personal income tax to consideration of a wealth tax and preparations for possible euro adoption around 2030.

István Kapitány: Minister of Economy and Energy

István Kapitány was widely tipped after the election to lead the economic portfolio after joining Tisza as one of the party’s highest-profile recruits. He was honoured by the previous government in 2023 and previously served as a global vice‑president at Shell, running large international operations; his background is therefore in business rather than classic party politics.

The new ministry brings economy and energy together under one roof, giving him a very broad remit. Tisza’s plans include reducing energy dependence, overhauling energy policy and jump‑starting economic growth, meaning Kapitány will face major commercial and political decisions.

Romulusz Ruszin‑Szendi: Minister of Defence

Romulusz Ruszin‑Szendi’s name was repeatedly raised during the campaign, ranging from a controversy over firearm possession to allegations concerning his ties to Ukraine. Those accusations were not proven and did not noticeably dent his popularity; he won an individual mandate in Hajdú‑Bihar by a margin of more than two thousand votes.

As defence minister he plans to raise defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP by 2035, strengthen cyber‑defence, and has made clear (despite former allegations) does not support reintroducing conscription nor sending Hungarian troops to fight in the Russia–Ukraine war.defense minister, he plans to raise defense spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035, strengthen cyber-defense, and has made clear (despite former allegations) that he

Anita Orbán: Minister of Foreign Affairs

Anita Orbán’s candidacy for the foreign ministry surfaced during the campaign after Péter Magyar began consultations with her last autumn and she was publicly introduced as a foreign policy expert in January.

She has faced swift criticism from the governing side, with opponents labelling her a lobbyist and even raising spy‑related allegations. Orbán previously worked in senior roles at Vodafone’s global operations and has experience in foreign policy apparatuses and energy security issues after 2010. She entered parliament via the Tisza party list.

Zsolt Hegedűs: Minister of Health

Zsolt Hegedűs was the first name Péter Magyar floated as a prospective minister months before the election. An orthopaedic surgeon who entered parliament from the Tisza list, Hegedűs has been among the most active voices on health policy recently and even drew attention for celebrating at the party’s election night event.

He faces one of the toughest portfolios: Tisza plans to allocate roughly HUF 500 billion additional funding per year to health, a potential basis for sweeping reforms, alongside a review and restructuring of the hospital system. Delivering on these pledges will be a major political test.

László Gajdos: Minister of Living Environment

László Gajdos became prominent late in the campaign but is well known in his field: he led the Nyíregyháza Zoo for more than 29 years and won his individual mandate in Szabolcs‑Szatmár‑Bereg County’s constituency with outstanding 64.77 per cent of the vote.

As minister he intends to put into practice the ‘TISZTA Hungary’ programme’s environmental measures, create a dedicated oversight body for battery factories, take strict action against unlawful development in Natura 2000 areas and apply a “polluter pays” approach so fines go directly to restoration.

Szabolcs Bóna: Minister of Agriculture and Food Economy

Szabolcs Bóna, an agricultural engineer and practising farmer who has been involved in Tisza’s policy work since the party’s formation, is poised to head the agriculture ministry. He did not enter parliament as a list MP and narrowly lost his individual race in Győr‑Moson‑Sopron County, so he is expected to join the cabinet from outside parliament.

Magyar Péter also said the structure of the remaining nine ministries is taking shape, though exact names will be finalised later. Proposed portfolios include the Interior Ministry, Justice Ministry, Transport and Investment Ministry, Education Ministry, Social Affairs Ministry, Prime Minister’s Office, Rural Development Ministry, Culture Ministry and a ministry for digital and technological affairs.

Featured image: Facebook / Orbán Anita