"Hungary has chosen Europe"/ EU leaders react to Magyar's victory over Orban

2026-04-13 08:50:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

"Hungary has chosen Europe"/ EU leaders react to Magyar's victory

EU leaders have expressed joy over the victory of Peter Magyar in the Hungarian elections against incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whom many saw as a direct threat to the peace and prosperity of Europe.

"Today Europe wins and European values ??win ," said Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, in a post on "X" on Sunday evening.

Poland's Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, also reacted through a post on social media.

"Hungary, Poland, Europe, together again! Glorious victory, dear friends! Ruszkik haza (Russians, go home)," Tusk's post read.

In a recent interview, Magyar said that if elected prime minister, he would repair Hungary's relationship with the EU.

"All Hungarians know that this is a common victory. Our homeland has decided it. It wants to live again. It wants to be a European country," Magyar said in his victory speech from the banks of the Danube in Budapest, the capital of Hungary.

Magyar said he had received calls on Sunday evening from French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

"France welcomes the victory of democratic participation, the commitment of the Hungarian people to the values ??of the European Union and Hungary's commitment to Europe," Macron said.

"Let us join forces for a strong, secure and, above all, united Europe ," Merz said.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, one of Orban's closest international allies, said Slovakia was ready for intensive cooperation and that protecting energy interests remained a key goal.

Congratulations on Magyar's victory were also received from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.

"This is a historic moment, not just for Hungary, but for European democracy ," Starmer said.

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, who, like many EU officials, had avoided any public stance on the Hungarian elections, made a reaction on the “X” platform after Magyar’s victory.

"Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. Together, we are stronger. A country returns to its European path ," the EC President's reaction said.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Romanian President Nicusor Dan and European Council President Antonio Costa, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed their congratulations on Magyar's victory.

Slovenia's liberal Prime Minister, Robert Golob, also congratulated Magyar, saying his victory over right-wing populism is also a major victory for the EU and its future.

"Only a more united and effective EU will be able to respond to the extremely serious challenges of the times to come," said Golob.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated Hungary, but also thanked Orbán for the "intense cooperation over these years."

Meanwhile, there has been no reaction from the White House and no comment from US Vice President JD Vance, who had campaigned for Orbán in Budapest earlier in the week, openly admitting that he was in Hungary on a trip to help him win the election. /CNA