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Historic election ousts Viktor Orbán after 16-year rule
Budapest's iconic Chain Bridge, typically a backdrop for tourist photos, was illuminated in Hungary's red, white, and green national colors Sunday night following a landmark election that removed Prime Minister Viktor Orbán from power. Péter Magyar, leader of the newly victorious Tisza party, declared the result a liberation for the country, marking the end of an era defined by Orbán's authoritarian governance and close ties to Russia.
Record turnout and a nation divided
Voter participation reached unprecedented levels, defying Orbán's control over state media and electoral reforms designed to favor his Fidesz party. Despite these advantages, Orbán suffered a decisive defeat, with Magyar's supporters celebrating in Budapest's streets well into Monday morning.
"I cried when I marked my ballot," said Zsofia, a first-time voter. "I still can't believe we did it." Around her, crowds chanted, "Russians go home!"-a phrase Orbán himself famously used in 1989 during Hungary's anti-Soviet protests, now repurposed as a rebuke of his later alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Orbán's legacy: corruption, economic decline, and Putin's EU ally
Orbán's downfall was years in the making. Once a symbol of resistance to Soviet rule, he later embraced authoritarianism, eroded democratic institutions, and cultivated a "pro-family" agenda that alienated women, the LGBTQ+ community, and political opponents. His government's coziness with Putin-delaying EU sanctions against Russia and blocking a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine-drew sharp criticism from Western allies.
Economic mismanagement further weakened his support. Inflation soared, living standards fell, and allegations of corruption within Orbán's inner circle grew. Even his hometown of Felcsút, where he invested heavily in a football stadium and luxury projects linked to his family, turned against him. "He failed us," said Gyárfás Oláh, a former local mayor and Orbán supporter. "He hoodwinked us."
Magyar's victory: continuity or change?
Magyar, a 45-year-old former Fidesz member, positioned himself as a conservative nationalist capable of uniting Hungary's opposition. While he pledged to "roll back the Orbán regime" and restore ties with Europe, he is unlikely to reverse all of Orbán's policies, particularly those opposing military aid to Ukraine. However, he has vowed to end Hungary's blockade of the EU's €50 billion loan to Kyiv.
"Tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow, we get to work!"
Péter Magyar, Tisza party leader
Analysts caution against interpreting Orbán's defeat as a broader rejection of populist nationalism in Europe. Similar movements, like Marine Le Pen's National Rally in France and Giorgia Meloni's government in Italy, have faced setbacks but remain influential. For now, Hungarian voters' priorities are domestic: reviving the economy, lowering inflation, and improving public services.
International reactions: relief and caution
Orbán's ouster was met with relief in Brussels and Kyiv. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the result a choice for Europe, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Magyar and expressed hope for "constructive work" together. In contrast, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had endorsed Orbán as a key ally, is likely to view the shift as a loss.
Magyar will not officially take office until Hungary's president invites him to form a government, a process expected to take about a month. Until then, the country remains in a state of cautious optimism, balancing celebration with the challenges ahead.
