Peter Magyar, a pro-EU conservative, was sworn in as Hungary's new prime minister on Saturday, closing the chapter on the 16-year rule of his nationalist predecessor, Viktor Orban.

The former government insider turned critic whose Tisza party resoundingly won April 12 legislative elections, vowed he would bring in "regime change".

That was underlined by the speaker of the new parliament ordering the EU flag be reinstalled on the building, after a 12-year absence under Orban, just ahead of Magyar taking his oath of office in the legislature.

The European Union has been effusive in its welcome of Magyar, seeing his arrival as Hungary's leader as drawing a line under years of hostility and obstructionism from Budapest.

Magyar's inauguration drew tens of thousands of people to giant screens around the parliament, where they waved Hungarian and EU flags to watch the ceremony and then party into the night.

Inside the parliament, Magyar vowed: "I will not rule over Hungary; I will serve my country."

He afterwards addressed his supporters outside, emphasising that the country "belongs to everyone... and that together we will rebuild Hungary".

Magyar, 45, has pledged that one of his government's first steps would be to create an independent office to investigate corruption over the past 20 years and recover public assets from those who "illegally acquired" them.

His Tisza party won 141 of parliament's 199 seats, a comfortable two-thirds majority with the power to amend the constitution and push through key reforms.

Among Magyar's most urgent priorities is unlocking billions of euros in EU funds frozen by Brussels over rule-of-law concerns.

Hungary faces a stagnating economy and deteriorating public services – problems analysts say require deep structural reform.

The new cohort of lawmakers on Saturday elected hotelier Agnes Forsthoffer as speaker – one of several women tapped for senior roles by Tisza, which seeks to offer broader representation than Orban's coalition.

Other nominations included lawyer Vilmos Katai-Nemeth as social and family affairs minister, who would be the country's first visually impaired cabinet member.

Celebrations in and around parliament were heavy with symbolism, featuring flags and music highlighting Hungary's EU membership, its Roma minority and ethnic Hungarians living in neighbouring countries. (AFP)


Edited by Tony Sabine