Katya Adler: Jubilation in Budapest will be felt in Europe but leaves Moscow cold

Katya Adler: Budapest’s Celebration Marks a Shift in Europe’s Political Landscape

Budapest’s Chain Bridge, a symbol of the city’s duality between Buda and Pest, spans the Danube with a picturesque glow. By night, its lights mirror the stars above, casting a magical spell on the river. Typically a hotspot for tourists, the bridge became a stage for a historic moment on Sunday. After 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s leadership, the election results shattered his hold, and the bridge was adorned in the Hungarian flag’s colors—green, white, and red.

Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party, emerged victorious, and his supporters reveled in the triumph. In his speech, he declared,

“We did it. We brought down the Orbán regime—gether we liberated Hungary. We took back our homeland! Thank you! Thank you all!”

The event carried a palpable energy, with record voter turnout defying Orbán’s control over state media. Despite his reforms to the electoral system and the influence of his family in the “illiberal democracy” he championed, Orbán’s defeat was decisive.

First-time voters celebrated in the early hours of Monday, dancing through the city’s alleys. Zofia, one of them, shared her emotion:

“I cried when I put the X on my ballot paper. I still can’t quite believe we did it. But we did!”

Her group’s chant of “Russians Go home!” echoed the irony of Orbán’s downfall. Once a fiery anti-communist, he had urged Soviet withdrawal in 1989. Now, his pro-Russian stance is seen as a liability by critics.

Orbán’s shift from a progressive voice to an authoritarian figure has drawn sharp criticism. His alliance with Vladimir Putin, despite Russian aggression in Ukraine, was a point of contention. By blocking EU sanctions and a €90bn loan to Kyiv, he became a thorn in the side of European unity. His exit leaves Putin without a key ally in the EU, while Ukraine’s Zelensky praised the outcome, tweeting:

“I look forward to constructive work together.”

Leaders like Sir Keir Starmer hailed the result as a milestone for European democracy, and Ursula von der Leyen noted Hungary’s recommitment to the bloc. In contrast, Donald Trump, who once endorsed Orbán, may feel the loss of a European ally. During the Iran war, his vice-president had appeared at pro-Orbán rallies, praising the prime minister’s nationalist vision. Both Trump and Orbán share admiration for a movement rooted in Christian values and resistance to globalization.

While some view Orbán’s fall as the peak of populist nationalism in Europe, others caution against hasty conclusions. His defeat does not erase the broader influence of right-wing movements, as seen in Marine Le Pen’s National Rally underperforming in recent local elections. Yet, the change in Hungary signals a shift, with Magyar poised to navigate a delicate path in his new role.