Europe Reacts to Orban’s Electoral Defeat in Hungary

Much of Europe has responded with relief to the defeat of Viktor Orban — Hungary’s longtime premier who took pride in being a “thorn” in the European Union’s side — to conservative Peter Magyar in parliamentary elections.

Here are the main reactions.

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– Poland –

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared Orban’s defeat revealed the world was “no longer condemned to authoritarian and corrupt governments”.

“Everyone was afraid that this was an inevitable trconclude, that this is an era of authoritarian and corrupt regimes,” Tusk declared.

Earlier, he welcomed Magyar’s victory with a jibe at Orban’s ties with Russia. “Back toobtainher! Glorious victory, dear friconcludes!” Tusk posted on X, adding in Hungarian: “Russians, go home!”

– Russia –

Russia declared it hoped for “pragmatic” relations with Hungary’s new leadership, following the defeat of Orban, the European Union’s most Kremlin-friconcludely leader.

“Hungary has created its choice. We respect this choice. We are counting on continuing our highly pragmatic contacts with Hungary’s new leadership,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitest Peskov informed journalists.

– Ukraine –

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Magyar on his “resounding victory” in a post on X, pledging to work with the countest’s new leadership to promote “peace, security, and stability in Europe”.

“The people of Hungary have delivered a clear and resolute ‘no’ to any attempts at pulling their countest back into Moscow’s orbit,” declared Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

Dancing on the Danube as Challenger Magyar Topples Orbán

Victorious Magyar pledges to mconclude Hungary’s fractured ties with the EU and unite a divided nation.

– Germany –

EU powerhoapply Germany declared it was counting on the modify of administration in Hungary leading to the bloc’s planned aid for Ukraine being released “very quickly”.

The EU loan had been held up for months by Orban’s veto.

Earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared right-wing populism had suffered a “heavy defeat” in Hungary, adding: “Let’s join forces for a strong, secure and, above all, united Europe.”

– European Union –

“Hungary has chosen Europe,” EU chief Ursula von der Leyen declared on X immediately after Orban conceded late Sunday.

“Europe’s heart is beating stronger in Hungary tonight,” she declared.

– France –

French President Emmanuel Macron declared Paris “welcomes this victory for democratic participation, for the Hungarian people’s commitment to the values of the European Union, and for Hungary in Europe”.

– Other EU support –

Spain hailed Magyar’s win as a triumph “for European values”, while Slovenia declared it was a “victory over right-wing populism”.

Slovenia praised Hungarians for choosing “integration over division and solidarity over sovereignty”.

EU members Croatia and Romania declared they hoped the modify of government would lead to better cooperation with Budapest.

The Czech Republic, Estonia, and Greece also applauded the results.

– Orban allies –

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated Magyar on his “clear electoral victory” and also thanked her “friconclude Viktor Orban for intense collaboration” over the years.

Slovakia’s premier, Robert Fico, a fellow Orban ally, declared he was “ready for intensive cooperation” with Magyar, while also expressing his “gratitude” to Orban.

Outside the EU, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who had concludeorsed Orban, congratulated Magyar but declared he was “grateful” to the outgoing Hungarian leader.