This photo taken on May 9, 2026 shows the inaugural session of Hungary's new parliament in Budapest, Hungary. Hungary's new parliament convened on Saturday for its inaugural session, electing Agnes Forsthoffer, vice president of the Tisza Party, as speaker of the National Assembly. In the parliamentary elections, the Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, defeated the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Viktor Orban, winning 141 of the 199 seats and securing a two-thirds majority in the new parliament. (Photo by David Balog/Xinhua)
BUDAPEST, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's new parliament convened on Saturday for its inaugural session, electing Agnes Forsthoffer, vice president of the Tisza Party, as speaker of the National Assembly.
The 199-member parliament saw all lawmakers sworn in on the same day.
A total of 195 lawmakers cast their ballots. Forsthoffer, the sole candidate, was elected speaker with 193 votes in favor, 2 against and 0 abstentions. The parliament also elected six deputy speakers.
Forsthoffer was then sworn in and delivered a speech, saying that her first decision as the speaker is that after 12 years, the flag of the European Union be returned to the Hungarian Parliament building. "Let this first symbolic step be followed by many others through which we once again become respected members of the European community."
Born in March 1980, Forsthoffer holds a degree in economics, specializing in finance, accounting and marketing. She worked as a chief financial officer and general manager before entering politics in 2024. She was elected vice president of the Tisza Party in September 2025 and became a member of parliament in the April 12 parliamentary elections.
In the parliamentary elections, the Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, defeated the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Viktor Orban, winning 141 of the 199 seats and securing a two-thirds majority in the new parliament. ■
This photo taken on May 9, 2026 shows the inaugural session of Hungary's new parliament in Budapest, Hungary. Hungary's new parliament convened on Saturday for its inaugural session, electing Agnes Forsthoffer, vice president of the Tisza Party, as speaker of the National Assembly.
In the parliamentary elections, the Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, defeated the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Viktor Orban, winning 141 of the 199 seats and securing a two-thirds majority in the new parliament. (Photo by David Balog/Xinhua)
Hungarian parliament members congratulate Agnes Forsthoffer on being elected as speaker of the National Assembly in Budapest, Hungary, May 9, 2026. Hungary's new parliament convened on Saturday for its inaugural session, electing Agnes Forsthoffer, vice president of the Tisza Party, as speaker of the National Assembly.
In the parliamentary elections, the Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, defeated the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Viktor Orban, winning 141 of the 199 seats and securing a two-thirds majority in the new parliament. (Photo by David Balog/Xinhua)
Guards are pictured ahead of the inaugural session of Hungary's new parliament in Budapest, Hungary, May 9, 2026. Hungary's new parliament convened on Saturday for its inaugural session, electing Agnes Forsthoffer, vice president of the Tisza Party, as speaker of the National Assembly.
In the parliamentary elections, the Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, defeated the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Viktor Orban, winning 141 of the 199 seats and securing a two-thirds majority in the new parliament. (Photo by David Balog/Xinhua)
Agnes Forsthoffer delivers a speech after being sworn in as speaker of the National Assembly in Budapest, Hungary, May 9, 2026. Hungary's new parliament convened on Saturday for its inaugural session, electing Agnes Forsthoffer, vice president of the Tisza Party, as speaker of the National Assembly.
In the parliamentary elections, the Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, defeated the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Viktor Orban, winning 141 of the 199 seats and securing a two-thirds majority in the new parliament. (Photo by David Balog/Xinhua)
Peter Magyar (2nd L, front), leader of Hungary's Tisza Party, and Agnes Forsthoffer (L, front), vice president of the Tisza Party, attend the inaugural session of Hungary's new parliament in Budapest, Hungary, May 9, 2026. Hungary's new parliament convened on Saturday for its inaugural session, electing Agnes Forsthoffer, vice president of the Tisza Party, as speaker of the National Assembly.
In the parliamentary elections, the Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, defeated the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Viktor Orban, winning 141 of the 199 seats and securing a two-thirds majority in the new parliament. (Photo by David Balog/Xinhua)
Peter Magyar (3rd R, front row), leader of Hungary's Tisza Party, and Agnes Forsthoffer (3rd R, 2nd row), vice president of the Tisza Party, attend the inaugural session of Hungary's new parliament in Budapest, Hungary, May 9, 2026. Hungary's new parliament convened on Saturday for its inaugural session, electing Agnes Forsthoffer, vice president of the Tisza Party, as speaker of the National Assembly.
In the parliamentary elections, the Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, defeated the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Viktor Orban, winning 141 of the 199 seats and securing a two-thirds majority in the new parliament. (Photo by David Balog/Xinhua)
Peter Magyar (L, front), leader of Hungary's Tisza Party, congratulates Agnes Forsthoffer on being elected as speaker of the National Assembly in Budapest, Hungary, May 9, 2026. Hungary's new parliament convened on Saturday for its inaugural session, electing Agnes Forsthoffer, vice president of the Tisza Party, as speaker of the National Assembly.
In the parliamentary elections, the Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, defeated the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Viktor Orban, winning 141 of the 199 seats and securing a two-thirds majority in the new parliament. (Photo by David Balog/Xinhua)
