Magyar to use Škoda as official car, rejects government residence

Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, has said he would use a Škoda Superb as his official prime ministerial vehicle if he takes office, and will not move into an official government residence.

Writing on X, he said the car — which became familiar during his campaign tour across Hungary — would serve as his official vehicle, framing the choice as a symbol of restraint and accessibility.

He also said he would decline an official state residence, signalling a break from traditional privileges associated with the office of prime minister.

On May 12, Hungary’s new Cabinet was sworn in, formally marking a transfer of power to a centre-right government led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar following last month’s election victory over Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz.

The 16 ministers took office after expedited parliamentary hearings, as Magyar pledged to rapidly dismantle elements of the previous administration’s political system and restore public trust in state institutions.

Magyar’s pro-European Tisza Party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority, giving it broad authority to reverse policies associated with Orbán’s 16-year rule. The new prime minister said his government would act to repair “division” and “loss of trust,” and rebuild Hungary as a “functioning, livable and self-reliant country.”

Key priorities include tackling alleged corruption, expanding Hungary’s cabinet structure, and launching investigations into the use of public funds. The government also plans to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and pursue the release of roughly €17 billion in frozen EU funds linked to rule-of-law concerns.

The administration is expected to realign Hungary’s EU policy and reform state institutions, including media oversight and senior judicial appointments, while strengthening economic governance with a new finance and energy leadership team.

By Aghakazim Guliyev