European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen applauded the results of the Hungarian parliamentary elections, which has seen Prime Minister Viktor Orbán‘s Fidesz party swept aside by the Tisza party, ending 16 years of his rule and handing the new government a mandate for closer ties to Europe.
“Hungary has chosen Europe,” von der Leyen wrote on X. “Europe has always chosen Hungary. A country reclaims its European path. The Union grows stronger.”
Newsweek reached out to the White House by email on Sunday afternoon for comment.
Why It Matters
The Hungarian election took on a familiar tone as a de facto referendum on whether the nation wanted closer ties to Europe or not, with Orbán’s one-time ally-turned-rival Péter Magyar campaigning on strengthening relations with the European Union and NATO, which both degraded severely under Orbán’s stewardship.
Sunday’s election saw record turnout, and while it remains unclear if the Tisza party will have the two-thirds majority in parliament necessary for pushing through major changes in legislation, they will take a majority in a stunning blow to Orbán, who over the past decade became steadfast friend of President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
What To Know
Orbán conceded defeat to Magyar shortly after the districts began counting votes, with 77 percent of the vote counted, more than 53 percent of votes support Tisza over Orbán’s Fidesz party.
“The election result is painful for us, but clear,” Orbán told followers. “The responsibility and possibility of governing was not given to us. I have congratulated the winner,” adding, “We are going to serve the Hungarian nation and our homeland from opposition.”
Orbán’s defeat is a huge boon to European allies who now will look forward to improving ties with Hungary.
European Council President António Costa in a comment on X wrote: “Record turnout shows the democratic spirit of the Hungarian people. They have spoken—and their will is clear. I look forward to working closely with [Magyar] to make Europe stronger and more prosperous.”
Finish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo described the result as “the opportunity” for Hungary “to return to our community of values and security as a constructive actor.”
“I congratulate Péter Magyar. I hope he will do everything in his power to restore confidence,” he wrote on X.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Magyar on his victory, calling it an “historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy.”
“I look forward to working with you for the security and prosperity of both our countries,” Starmer wrote on X.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Magyar shortly after the results indicated his victory, writing on X that “France welcomes the victory of democratic participation, the Hungarian people’s commitment to the values of the European Union, and Hungary’s commitment to Europe.”
“Let us move forward together towards a more sovereign Europe, for the security of our continent, our competitiveness, and our democracy,” he wrote.
Simon Harris, the deputy prime minister of Ireland, congratulated Magyar and wrote that he looks forward to “continuing our shared work for a strong, united, and democratic Europe.”
“Hungary is back at the heart of Europe,” Harris wrote on X.
What Happens Next
The final tally is yet to be determined, which will also show if the Tisza party ends up obtaining a supermajority, which would enable the party to enact significant changes in the country.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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