Spain celebrates Orbán’s defeat in Hungary: “Today Europe and European values win”

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. Tisza, the pro-European and conservative party led by Péter Magyar, won 138 seats, five more than the two-thirds supermajority required in Parliament (which has 199 members). This will allow it, among other things, to undertake the constitutional reform promised during the election campaign. Orbán's party, Fidesz, only managed to secure 55 seats, and the far-right party Mi Hazank obtained seven. The elections saw the highest voter turnout in Hungary since the restoration of democracy, at 79.5 percent. “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. Similarly, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares expressed his “congratulations to Péter Magyar and the Hungarian people.” “With these elections, Europe also wins. We will work with the new government for a strong and united EU based on its democratic values,” he posted on social media. 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. In a rather peculiar vein, the leader of Vox, Santiago Abascal, wrote on social media that "Hungary was the only nation in Europe safe from Islamist invasion." "Victor Orbán's defeat puts it in danger. Orbán leaves behind a much better Hungary than the one he inherited. And he leaves a deep mark on all patriotic forces in Europe," he continued. “We must continue fighting for the sovereignty, freedom, and prosperity of nations,” he concluded. For her part, the Second Vice President of the Government and leader of Sumar, Yolanda Díaz, posted on the social network Blusky that with the defeat in Oran, “an authoritarian project in Europe falls” and a “reference point for the entire international movement of hate.” “They can be stopped. We are going to beat them,” she proclaimed. Separately, Defense Minister Margarita Robles declared this Monday on the TVE program 'La hora de La 1' that the election results in Hungary represent “a clear defeat for that international far-right movement which, indeed, we have seen here in Spain with Vox, its support for Orbán, and its support for the most extremist positions in the United States.” “It is positive news that, hopefully, will help in the pursuit of peace in Ukraine,” she stated. “All the decisions that have been made” in Europe “to support Ukraine with sanctions against Russia were systematically vetoed by Orbán, and we must certainly welcome this with hope that it will help the European Union support Ukraine.” 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.

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