Viktor Orbán’s election defeat was met with a huge sigh of relief, and a bit of schadenfreude, in Brussels, as European officials hope a new Hungarian government will bring more pro-European attitude to the table.
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission said on social media that “Hungary has chosen Europe.”
“Europe has always chosen Hungary. Together, we are stronger. A country reclaims its European path. The Union grows stronger,” she said.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament congratulated Péter Magyar on the victory, saying: “Hungary’s place is at the heart of Europe.”
The comments from von der Leyen and Metsola are not surprising – Orbán has been a massive pain for the European Union for most of his 16 years in power, clashing with Brussels over an array of issues. From migration laws to the EU’s support for Ukraine, Orbán has repeatedly used procedural delays and the power of veto to derail key agreements.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who has clashed with Orbán in the past, said on X that France welcomed “a victory which shows the attachment of the Hungarian people to the values of the European Union and for Hungary’s role in Europe.”
The German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz congratulated Magyar and said: “Let’s join forces for a strong, secure and, above all, united Europe.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Magyar’s win a “historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy.”
Kristen Michal, Estonian Prime Minister, said “Hungarians have made a historic choice for a free and strong Hungary in a united Europe, rejecting forces that ignore their interests.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, said the election “marks a new chapter in the history of Hungary.”
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin congratulated Magyar on his victory and commended “the Hungarian people who turned out in such high numbers to exercise their democratic choice in today’s elections.” Martin added that he hopes to strengthen Irish-Hungarian relations based on their shared EU membership and values.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: “Hungary. Poland. Europe. Back together!” Magyar told a crowd of supporters tonight that Poland will be his first trip out of the country as prime minister.
