Who is Péter Magyar? Lawyer who defeated Viktor Orbán after 16-year rule set to become Hungarian prime minister

Péter Magyar, a former insider in Hungary’s ruling establishment, is set to become the country’s next prime minister after defeating long-time leader Viktor Orbán in a historic 2026 election.45-year-old Magyar is a lawyer, diplomat and leader of the centre-right Tisza Party. He was once closely linked to Orbán’s Fidesz party, where he held several roles, including positions in state-owned companies and EU-related work.His rise has been rapid. Until 2024, he was largely unknown to the public. That changed when he broke with the government following a major pardon scandal and publicly accused it of corruption and abuse of power.Within months, Magyar launched a new political platform and took over the Tisza Party, positioning himself as the main challenger to Orbán’s 16-year rule. In the 2024 European Parliament elections, his party secured strong support, signalling growing public backing.In the April 2026 parliamentary election, Magyar led Tisza to a decisive victory, ending Orbán’s long tenure. The result marked one of the biggest political shifts in Hungary since the end of communism, with high voter turnout and a clear mandate for change.Magyar’s campaign focused on anti-corruption, restoring democratic institutions and improving ties with the European Union. He has also called for reducing Hungary’s dependence on Russian energy and rebuilding relations with Western allies.Despite positioning himself as a reformer, Magyar remains conservative. He describes himself as pro-European but critical, and has maintained firm positions on issues such as migration and national sovereignty.Magyar was born in Budapest in 1981 into a politically connected family. He studied law and later worked in both the public and private sectors. He was previously married to former justice minister Judit Varga, a key figure in Orbán’s government.His transformation from Orbán loyalist to leading opponent has been central to his appeal. Magyar now faces the challenge of delivering on his promises and reshaping Hungary’s political direction after more than a decade of nationalist rule.