Orbán loses in Hungary, easing EU pressure but leaving Ukraine facing new obstacles
Peter Magyar’s victory has a ‘bitter aftertaste’ for Zelenskyy, Politico says (Photo: REUTERS/Marton Monus)
Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule ended after he conceded defeat
to Peter Magyar in Hungary’s parliamentary election, a result that could unlock
long-stalled EU support for Ukraine while giving President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
only limited reason to celebrate, Politico
wrote.
Earlier this year, Orbán vetoed a 90 billion euro loan for
Ukraine that EU leaders, including Orbán himself, had approved in December
2025. Magyar, who wants to repair ties with Brussels, is expected to remove
that obstacle. But for Zelenskyy, Politico said, the outcome is a “victory with
a bitter aftertaste” because Hungary’s incoming prime minister opposes sending
Hungarian arms or financial support to Kyiv and is against accelerating
Ukraine’s path into the European Union.
Magyar has promised to put the issue to a referendum, a step
that would in practice delay Ukraine’s membership bid given strong
anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Hungary, which he cannot ignore if he wants to hold
onto public support, the outlet wrote.
For European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and
European Council President António Costa, Orbán’s loss means the departure of
“one of the EU’s most obstinate leaders,” who repeatedly used his veto power to
block key Brussels decisions, including financial support for Ukraine.
Politico wrote that Orbán had also been one of Brussels’
“loudest antagonists,” fueling Euroskepticism, undermining the rule of law and
repeatedly resisting EU legislation in ways that directly tested the European
Commission’s ability to enforce its rules.
Magyar’s victory also “dealt a blow to the White House,” the
publication wrote, as Washington lost its most important ally in Europe at a
time of worsening transatlantic ties. Vice President JD Vance visited Budapest
to back Orbán’s campaign, predicted he would win and accused the EU of
interfering in the election. President Donald Trump publicly supported Orbán
five times over the past six months and promised U.S. economic assistance to
Hungary.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin also lost a key ally and a
valuable contact inside the EU. In recent months, Hungarian and international
media have reported close ties between Budapest and Moscow, including phone
calls between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russian Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Hungary held parliamentary elections on April 12. With
98.32% of ballots counted, Tisza was leading. Magyar’s party was set to win 138
seats in parliament, while Fidesz was headed for 55 and Our Homeland for six.
Orbán said he accepted his party’s defeat and congratulated
Magyar on his victory.
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