Katya Adler: Jubilation in Budapest will be felt in Europe but leaves Moscow cold
Katya Adler: Jubilation in Budapest will be felt in Europe but leaves Moscow cold
The Chain Bridge in Budapest connects the city’s historic Buda and lively Pest districts over the Danube River. At night, its lights dance across the water, casting a magical glow. Usually, it’s a hub for tourist photos, but this Sunday marked a different kind of celebration. An historic election result had ousted Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after 16 years of leadership, prompting the bridge to be illuminated in green, white, and red—the Hungarian flag’s colors.
Supporters of Péter Magyar and his Tisza party celebrated as if reclaiming their nation. Magyar’s victory speech echoed their sentiment:
“We did it! Together, we’ve dismantled the Orbán regime and reclaimed our homeland. Thank you to everyone!”
The atmosphere in Budapest was electric, with voters expressing disbelief and joy. “I cried when I marked my ballot,” said Zofia, a first-time voter. “I still can’t believe we pulled it off. But we did!” Her group chanted, “Russians Go home!” a slogan that once symbolized Hungary’s anti-communist past.
Orbán’s political journey had taken a sharp turn since 1989. Then, he had passionately urged Russians to leave Hungary during the Soviet Union’s collapse. That phrase later became a rallying cry in the 1956 uprising against communism. Over time, however, Orbán shifted toward a more authoritarian stance, aligning with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Critics now used his old slogan to highlight his growing ties to Moscow, which seemed to backfire in this election.
Putin faces a significant setback with Orbán’s defeat. The former ally had delayed sanctions against Russia and hindered EU support for Ukraine. Zelensky, Ukraine’s leader, swiftly praised Magyar’s success, tweeting about “constructive work” ahead. While not overly enthusiastic, Zelensky understood the delicate balance of Hungarian public opinion. Orbán had warned voters that only he could shield them from the war’s spread, but Magyar’s victory suggests a different path.
Magyar’s government will likely adopt a measured approach. He’s unlikely to reverse Orbán’s decision to withhold military aid to Ukraine, fearing backlash. Yet, he’s committed to unblocking a €90bn loan for Kyiv. European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, hailed the result as a milestone for democracy. The European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen noted Hungary’s return to Europe’s embrace.
In Washington, Donald Trump remained notably subdued. Hungary’s voters had stripped him of his key European ally. Trump had previously endorsed Orbán, even sending his vice-president to Budapest during the Iran conflict to bolster his rallies. Both men admired Orbán as a figure of the Christian nationalist, “anti-globalist” right. Steve Bannon, Trump’s former strategist, called Orbán a “hero.”
Analysts argue Orbán’s fall signals a peak for populist movements, yet I remain cautious. While Marine Le Pen’s National Rally underperformed in France, the broader trend of shifting European politics remains complex. Orbán’s legacy as a bridge between East and West, now shattered, leaves a void in the continent’s unity against global powers like Russia and the U.S.
