Péter Magyar officially becomes Prime Minister of Hungary

Hungary’s newly elected parliament held its first session today, during which Tisza Party leader Péter Magyar was officially elected as the country’s new prime minister.

A majority of lawmakers in the new parliament voted in favour of Magyar’s appointment, with 140 members supporting his nomination and 54 voting against.

Parliament also elected Tisza deputy chair Ágnes Forsthoffer as speaker. Her appointment was approved by 193 lawmakers, while two voted against.

One of the new speaker’s first decisions was to restore the European Union flag inside the parliament building, marking the first time in 12 years that the flag has been displayed there.

Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán did not attend the parliamentary session.

Hungary held parliamentary elections on 12 April, in which the opposition Tisza Party won a decisive victory over Orbán’s ruling party, securing a constitutional majority in parliament.