The conservative party of Peter Magyar defeated the party of outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban , who has ruled the country for 16 years, in the parliamentary elections held yesterday, Sunday. This constitutes a shift that many European capitals considered a pivotal point in the course of the relationship between Budapest and the European Union, and a blow to the extreme right-wing nationalist parties on the continent, which had been strengthened for a time by the support of US President Donald Trump and his administration, which had clearly supported its “ally Orban.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her clear welcome for the results, stating that Hungary had sent a strong signal that it was returning to the European path. She went on to say that "the heart of Europe beats even more strongly in Hungary."
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the results, describing them as a victory for democracy and a renewed commitment by the Hungarian people to European values. He added that this development could form the basis for building a more sovereign Europe, better equipped to face economic and security challenges.
Macron’s stance was in line with a general European trend that sees Magyar’s rise as an opportunity to rebuild relations with Hungary after years of deep political disagreements.
For his part, Conservative leader Friedrich Merz called on the new Hungarian government to strengthen cooperation within the European Union and work towards building a more united Europe, stressing that the next stage requires greater coordination among member states to confront escalating economic and security challenges.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the victory as a triumph for Europe and its values, noting that this shift reinforces the idea of European unity in the face of internal divisions and international challenges.
In the same context came the statements of the Belgian Foreign Minister, who considered what happened to be a historic moment not only for Hungary but for the entire European Union, in reference to the magnitude of expectations associated with the new political leadership in Budapest.
Ukraine also joined the list of those offering congratulations, with President Volodymyr Zelensky welcoming Magyar's victory, considering it a clear triumph that strengthens the European position supporting Kyiv in light of the ongoing war with Russia.
In contrast, Prime Minister Georgia Meloni took a more balanced stance, congratulating Peter Magyar on his victory, but at the same time praising the relationship she had built with Viktor Orban over the past years, stressing that cooperation between Rome and Budapest would continue regardless of the political change.
Most leaders of far-right movements in Europe expressed their support for Viktor Orban despite his loss, arguing that defeat does not necessarily mean the failure of his political project.
The leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, Jordan Bardella, said the results showed that the accusations leveled against Hungary by EU institutions were unfair, praising Orban and describing him as a defender of his country’s sovereignty.
Marine Le Pen, the leader of the French far-right party, had previously expressed clear support for Orban during her frequent visits to Budapest, where she considered him a model for sovereign right-wing politics in Europe.
The repercussions on the far right
A number of observers saw Viktor Orban's loss as a major blow to the populist right-wing movement in Europe, which had viewed Hungary as a successful model for its political project based on questioning the European Union and promoting national sovereignty.
Over the past years, Budapest has become a gathering point for a number of leaders of this movement, including representatives of Italian, Spanish, Dutch and French parties, where it was presented as a symbol of resistance to what is described as the bureaucratic hegemony of Brussels.
Observers expect Viktor Orbán's defeat to impact the balance of power within the European right and the relationship between the European Union and member states that have witnessed the rise of populist movements over the past decade. However, the landscape remains open to multiple developments, as the debate continues within Europe regarding the limits of national sovereignty and the future of European integration in a period marked by increasing economic and geopolitical challenges.
Challenges facing the Hungarian government
The victory of Peter Magyar, who presents himself as a conservative politician closer to Europe, reflects a shift in the general mood within Hungary, and indicates a desire to rebuild the relationship with the European Union on different foundations, based on cooperation rather than conflict.
His political program also includes a commitment to institutional reforms aimed at strengthening the independence of the judiciary, reducing the influence of power networks linked to the former ruling party, and seeking to restore European funding that has been frozen due to disputes over the rule of law.
Analysts believe that the greatest challenge facing Hungary's new leadership will not only be economic or administrative, but primarily political: rebuilding trust with Brussels and its European partners after years of tension. Restructuring state institutions and ensuring their independence will also be a true test of the new government's ability to deliver on its campaign promises.
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