‘Hungary has chosen Europe’: EU leaders jubilant after Péter Magyar’s victory over Orbán | Hungary
EU leaders heaped praise on Péter Magyar following his decisive election victory in Hungary over long-serving prime minister Viktor Orbán, who many see as a direct threat to Europe’s peace and prosperity.
This outburst reflected deep disappointment with Orbán within the EU’s 27 member states and institutions.
“Today Europe is winning and European values are winning,” Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez said in a post on X on Sunday night. Polish prime minister Donald Tusk wrote on social media: “Hungary Poland Europe Together again! Glorious victory, dear friends! Ruszkik haza!”. Ruszkik haza It translates into English as “Russians, go home.”
Orbán’s 16-year grip on power has tested the EU governance system, which aims to achieve peace through economic and political integration after the devastation of the first and second world wars. Orbán has repeatedly vetoed collective actions, such as support for Ukraine after Russia’s all-out invasion, claiming that he was trying to prioritize the national interests of Hungarians rather than the strategy established in Brussels.
Recently, the far-right leader’s government angered EU leaders and officials by admitting that it provided a back channel to Russia during summits.
In a recent interview, Magyar told The Associated Press that if elected, he would repair Hungary’s relations with the EU. But during the election campaign he carefully avoided taking definitive positions on a range of divisive issues, including Orbán’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies and whether Hungary should give more support to Ukraine.
In his victory speech on the banks of the Danube River in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, Magyar said, “All Hungarians know that this is a common victory. Our homeland has made its decision. It wants to live again. It wants to be a European country.”
There was no reaction from the White House on Sunday night and no comment from US vice president J.D. Vance., He campaigned for Orbán in Budapest earlier in the week and openly admitted that he went on an “unprecedented” trip to Hungary to help him win the election.
Magyar said he received calls Sunday night from French president Emmanuel Macron, NATO secretary general Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
Online congratulations also poured in from British prime minister Keir Starmer, Irish prime minister Micheál Martin, Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson and European parliament speaker Roberta Metsola. Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen, Romanian president Nicușor Dan and European Council president António Costa also posted their well-wishes, as did Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Starmer said: “This is a historic moment not only for Hungary, but also for European democracy.”
“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,” Macron said.
“Let’s join forces for a strong, safe and, above all, united Europe,” Merz said.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to work with Hungary. “Europe and every European country must become stronger, and millions of Europeans seek cooperation and stability,” he said. “We are ready for meetings and joint constructive work for the benefit of both nations, as well as to ensure peace, security and stability in Europe.”
Kristersson referred to both the EU and NATO when congratulating Magyar: “I look forward to working closely with you as allies and EU members. This marks a new page in the history of Hungary.”
Slovenia’s liberal prime minister, Robert Golob, congratulated Magyar, saying that “his victory over right-wing populism is also a great victory for the EU and its future.”
Golob said: “Only a more united and more effective EU will be able to respond to the extremely serious challenges of the time ahead.”
Israeli opposition politician Yair Lapid, a descendant of Hungarian Jews who survived the Holocaust, also congratulated the Magyar.
Von der Leyen, who, like many EU officials, avoided taking a public stance on the Hungarian elections, shared the following on X: “Hungary chose Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. We are stronger together. A country is returning to the European path. The union is getting stronger.”
Orbán had disparaged the Brussels-based EU administration and frequently blocked Von der Leyen’s agenda.
Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party, who is often targeted by Orbán, also said on social media: “Hungary is in the heart of Europe again.”
Orbán supporters also commented on the outcome of the vote.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated Magyar but also thanked Orbán for his “intense cooperation over these years.”
Far-right French politician Jordan Bardella, who is seen as a competitive politician at the national level in the 2027 French elections, praised Orbán’s record on populist causes in a post on X. He made no mention of Magyar.
