European leaders expressed widespread relief and jubilation following Péter Magyar’s landmark victory in the Hungarian general election on April 12, 2026, which ended Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule.

 

‘Hungary has chosen Europe’: EU leaders jubilant after Péter Magyar’s victory over Orbán

European leaders expressed widespread relief and jubilation following Péter Magyar’s landmark victory in the Hungarian general election on April 12, 2026, which ended Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule.

 

The Historic Result

The 2026 election saw a record turnout of nearly 80%. Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party secured a decisive landslide victory, winning a two-thirds supermajority in parliament.

 

Tisza Party: 138 seats (53.6% of the vote).

Fidesz Party: 55 seats (37.8% of the vote).

Our Homeland (Mi Hazánk): 6 seats.

 

Viktor Orbán conceded defeat, describing the result as "painful but clear".

 

EU Leaders' Reactions

Leaders across the European Union hailed the result as a turning point for the bloc's unity.

 

Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission President): Stated that "Hungary has chosen Europe" and that the country has reclaimed its European path.

 

Donald Tusk (Polish Prime Minister): Welcomed Hungary "back together" with the EU and Poland, posting a celebratory message that included the phrase "Russians, go home!".

 

Emmanuel Macron (French President): Called the outcome a victory for democratic participation and European values.

 

Pedro Sánchez (Spanish Prime Minister): Noted that "today Europe wins and European values win".

 

Friedrich Merz (German Chancellor): Expressed his desire for a "strong, secure, and above all united Europe" through cooperation with the new government.

 

Future Outlook

Péter Magyar has vowed to repair ties with the EU and NATO, promising to restore the system of checks and balances and secure billions in frozen EU funds. His victory is seen by many in Brussels as a removal of a persistent obstacle to collective EU action, particularly regarding support for Ukraine.