Zsolt Hegedűs, known for his dance moves and formerly a surgeon, will be the health minister. Former armed forces chief Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi will take over as defense minister. László Gajdos, director of an award-winning zoo, will become the environment minister, and Szabolcs Bóna, a former farmer, will manage agriculture and the food economy.
The complete cabinet will have 16 ministries, including portfolios for interior, justice, transport and investments, education, social affairs, a prime minister’s office, rural development, culture, and digital technology, with more nominations to follow soon.
This restructuring aims to move away from Orbán-era centralization of power. Magyar plans to establish separate ministries for education, health, and social policy, restore a standalone justice ministry, and confine the interior ministry’s role to law enforcement. Additionally, finance will be separated from the broader economy, and new digital and environmental portfolios will be introduced.
Magyar has expressed intent to audit the outgoing government’s finances, cautioning that “a lot of skeletons” might be uncovered. He promises transparency regarding Hungary’s financial status once his cabinet is in place.
Hungary’s new parliament is set to gather around May 9–10, with the government expected to form shortly thereafter.
Júlia Vadler and Joe Stanley-Smith contributed reporting.
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