Hungary will once again be a strong partner in the EU and NATO, and "those who robbed us" will be held accountable: what does Peter Magyar, whose party "Tisza" won the elections convincingly, promise the people of Hungary?
These elections in Hungary are considered the most important since the democratic transition in 1989-1990: after 16 years at the helm of the country, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's "Fidesz" party lost the vote, lagging significantly behind Peter Magyar's "Tisza". In the early evening hours, Orbán admitted his defeat: "I congratulated the winning party. Thank you all for the enormous work. Even in opposition, we will continue to serve our country and the Hungarian people."
According to the Electoral Commission, after over 99% of the ballots were counted, "Tisa" received 53.2% of the votes, securing 138 out of 199 seats in parliament. This will give it a two-thirds majority, which requires 133 seats, and which will allow Magyar to push through far-reaching reforms. Because many laws cannot be changed by a simple majority. This applies, for example, to electoral law, citizenship rules, basic aspects of the pension system, tax legislation and the election of the president, as explained by the German public media ARD. Voter turnout was record: half an hour before the polling stations closed, it was 77.8%. Four years ago, the turnout at the same time was 67.8%.
Peter Magyar's promises of change
After the results were announced, the winner, Peter Magyar, appeared on stage to the sounds of Frank Sinatra's "My Way". In his speech, he emphasized: "The time is over in our country when those who robbed us would get away with it. We will hold them accountable." Magyar repeatedly made this threat during the election campaign. He once again indicated that he wanted to put an end to the corruption of his predecessor. And what trials Orban and his government can expect will be shown in the coming weeks.
"Together we rejected Orban's system, together we liberated Hungary," Peter Magyar also declared to tens of thousands of enthusiastic supporters who came to celebrate on the banks of the Danube in Budapest. "Tonight, truth has triumphed over lies. Today we have won because Hungarians did not ask what their country could do for them, but what they could do for their country." In his speech, Magyar stressed that Hungary would once again be a strong partner in the EU and NATO.
"We will join the European Public Prosecutor's Office and guarantee the democratic functioning of our country. We will never again allow anyone to hold a free Hungary captive or abandon it," he added.
Magyar wants Hungary to join the eurozone. He also promises reforms that could unblock billions of euros in European Union funding frozen due to rule of law violations. But some diplomats and analysts say the new government must first show concrete results from its reforms before the funds that would provide a much-needed boost to the country's nearly stagnant economy are released.
Magyar's position on LGBTI+ rights, which have been severely undermined under Orbán, is still unclear, as he did not speak out much on the issue during his campaign. A move that observers say was aimed at keeping conservative voters on his side. But he has said he supports equality for all before the law.
The whole world is watching Hungary
These elections have been closely watched by the world. During his rule since 2010, Viktor Orbán has transformed Hungary into an "illiberal democracy", steered his country towards confrontation with the EU and established close contacts with the government of US President Donald Trump. He also maintained good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the EU, he vetoed important aid for Ukraine, against which Russia launched an aggressive war in early 2022. With his blockades, Orbán brought the Community to the brink of inability to act.
The convincing victory of "Tisza" brought relief to many German and European politicians. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated Péter Magyar and his party. "I look forward to working together for a strong, secure and, above all, united Europe," he said on the X platform. EC President Ursula von der Leyen wrote in X: "Today, the heart of Europe beats stronger in Hungary."
The chairwoman of the liberal faction in the European Parliament Renew Europe Valerie Haier said that with the loss of Viktor Orbán, US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the French right-wing populist party "National Unity" are losing "their most important ally in Europe".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Péter Magyar on "his convincing victory". It is important to impose a constructive approach, Zelensky wrote on the X platform. And further: "Ukraine has always strived for good neighborly relations with all European countries and is ready to deepen its cooperation with Hungary".
French President Emmanuel Macron also welcomed in X "the attachment of the Hungarian people to the values of the European Union". Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the election result in Hungary as a victory for "European values". British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a post on X: "This is a historic moment not just for Hungary, but for European democracy".