Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, has officially conceded defeat to Péter Magyar of the opposition Tisza Party in the parliamentary elections.
Magyar said, “Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called me and congratulated me on our victory. We did it. Tisza and Hungary have won the election. Together, we have freed Hungary and ended Orbán’s rule.”
Preliminary results show that the Tisza Party was leading in 95 out of Hungary’s 106 constituencies and is expected to secure 137 out of 199 seats. About 90% of the votes have already been counted, with Tisza in the lead.
Orbán’s defeat is expected to have significant consequences for Hungary and other European countries.
Péter Magyar has repeatedly stated that if elected, he would strengthen cooperation with Europe, unlike Orbán, who has often been at odds with other European leaders on various issues, including support for Ukraine.
Magyar’s victory could improve Hungary’s relations with the European Union and allow the release of a $105 billion loan package intended for Ukraine, which Hungary had previously blocked.
Orbán’s loss may also lead to the release of EU funds that had been withheld from Hungary due to concerns over governance under his leadership.
It is also seen as a setback for Russia, as Viktor Orbán was considered one of its closest allies within the EU. Meanwhile, due to strained relations between the U.S. and Europe, Donald Trump had reportedly supported Orbán’s party financially.
Many European countries have welcomed Péter Magyar’s victory, as Orbán had often obstructed joint decisions within the EU.
Although Hungary has a president, the Prime Minister is the head of government and holds greater executive power in decision-making than the president.
