Eduardo González
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez celebrated on Sunday the defeat of far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orbán by opposition candidate Peter Magyar in the Hungarian general election.
With more than 70 percent of the votes counted, Tisza, the party led by Peter Magyar, has won 138 seats, five seats above the two-thirds supermajority required in Parliament. Orbán’s party, Fidesz, only managed to secure 55 seats, and the far-right party Mi Hazank obtained seven.
“Today Europe and European values win,” Pedro Sánchez wrote on social media. “Congratulations to all Hungarian citizens on these historic elections,” he continued. “Looking forward to working together, Peter Magyar, for a better future for all Europeans,” he concluded.
For his part, the leader of the People’s Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, posted that “it is great news that there are more People’s Party members in Europe.” “In times of uncertainty, Hungary has voted overwhelmingly for a pro-European party to strengthen stability on the continent,” he stated. “Those of us who believe in liberal democracy, the rule of law, and the need to help Ukraine have reason to be optimistic,” he asserted. “A great day for Hungarians and for Péter Magyar, whom I just congratulated on this great victory,” he added. “The EPP’s next great success will be in Spain,” he proclaimed.
Péter Magyar’s victory in Hungary has been received in Brussels as a political turning point for the European Union. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reacted with a highly symbolic message: “Tonight, the heart of Europe beats stronger in Hungary. Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. A country is claiming its European path. The Union is strengthened.” His words reflect the institutional relief at the end of a period marked by tensions with Budapest.
European support has not been limited to the Commission. French President Emmanuel Macron was one of the first leaders to congratulate Hungary, underscoring the importance of the outcome for the bloc’s cohesion. From various European capitals, the message has been consistent: the new political era in Hungary opens the door to greater integration and strengthens the unity of the Union in a particularly demanding geopolitical context.