Senior figures in Brussels say the European Union is to “grow stronger” following Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s crushing defeat in the country’s general election on Sunday.
The premier has been ousted by the opposition TISZA party, with the EU-backed faction now expected to obtain up to two-thirds of the seats in the Hungarian parliament.
Writing on social media, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated Orbán’s downfall, saying that it would serve to strengthen the bloc.
“The Union grows stronger,” she wrote, describing the result as showing that “Hungary has chosen Europe”.
Also pleased with the result is Manfred Weber, the head of the ruling European People’s Party, who published a video of him congratulating TISZA lead candidate Peter Magyar following the confirmation of Orbán’s loss.
“Congratulations,” Weber, whose faction includes both Ursula von der Leyen’s German Christian Democrats and Simon Harris’ Fine Gael party, beamed.
“You make us — Europe, Hungary, and everybody — totally happy!”
Orbán had previously served as the main opposition force within the European Council regarding numerous key Brussels policy points, including the provision of funding and weaponry for Ukraine, as well as the acceleration of green targets.
His ousting is likely to leave other European leaders who oppose one or more of these policies — such as Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni — isolated in the EU capital.
Sunday’s result follows a long and contentious campaign between the outgoing Hungarian leader and his opposition rival, with both sides attempting to tar the other with accusations of incompetence, corruption, and allegiance to forces outside the central European nation.
This culminated in the leaking of sensitive material on both Orbán and Magyar, with the former having a transcript of a private phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin leaked, while the latter saw a covert recording of an intimate moment with a former partner plastered on Hungarian state television.
Attempts to besmirch Magyar in the eyes of the public appear to have failed, however, with Hungarian voters having expressed concern with the country’s weak economic growth, increasing geopolitical isolation, and the rampant corruption within the ruling elite.
Despite European claims that Orbán operated Hungary as a pseudo-dictatorship, the transfer of power is expected to be peaceful, with pro-Fidesz outlet Magyar Nemzet reporting the first post-election session of parliament should be held no later than May 4.