World reacts to election defeat for Viktor Orban, Hungary’s longtime PM

play Live Sign upShow navigation menu.css-15ru6p1{font-size:inherit;font-weight:normal;}Navigation menuNewsShow more news sectionsAfricaAsiaUS & CanadaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle EastExplainedOpinionSportVideoMoreShow more sectionsFeaturesEconomyHuman RightsClimate CrisisInvestigationsInteractivesIn PicturesScience & TechnologyPodcastsTravelplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upNavigation menucaret-leftTrendingUS-Israeli war on IranHungary electionTracking Israel's ceasefire violationsRussia-Ukraine warDonald Trumpcaret-rightNews|ElectionsWorld reacts to election defeat for Viktor Orban, Hungary’s longtime PMPrime Minister Viktor Orban concedes defeat as early results show his Fidesz party losing parliamentary majority. xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoRevellers celebrate the resounding Tisza party win in Hungarian parliamentary elections in Budapest, Hungary [Sean Gallup/Getty Images]By Edna Mohamed and ReutersPublished On 12 Apr 202612 Apr 2026Hungary’s opposition party Tisza has been projected to win parliamentary elections in a landslide victory, ousting the Fidesz party of longtime Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has led the country for 16 years. Early results on Sunday night projected opposition leader Peter Magyar’s party as winning 52.49 per cent of the vote and Orban’s Fidesz party taking 38.83 per cent. Conceding defeat, Orban said while all the results were not in yet, the situation was “unstandable and clear”. “The election result is painful for us, but clear. The responsibility and possibility of governing was not given to us. I have congratulated the winner,” he said. At the same time, in a post on X, Magyar thanked Hungary for its support and confirmed that Orban had congratulated him on his success. Here’s how the world has reacted to the election results: Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated Magyar for his victory and said the “Hunagrian people have decided”. “I am looking forward to working with you. Let’s join forces for a strong, secure and, above all, united Europe. Gratulálok, kedves Magyar Péter!” he wrote on X. President Emmanuel Macron said he spoke to Magyar to congratulate him on his victory. “France welcomes what has been a victory in terms of people taking part in the democratic process, and a victory which shows the attachment of the Hungarian people to the values of the European Union and for Hungary’s role in Europe,” he wrote on X. Prime Minister Jonas Garre Stoere said Magyar’s success was of “great importance” to Europe. “I look forward to close and constructive cooperation in pursuing peace and stability, democracy and the rule of law on our continent,” he said. President Gitanas Nauseda called the result a “big win for Hungary! Big win for Europe!” “Congratulations to [Magyar]. There are a lot of things we could and should do for the sake of democracy, justice and peace,” Nauseda wrote on X. Prime Minister Kristen Michal said Hungarians have made a “historic choice for a free and strong Hungary in a united Europe, rejecting forces that ignore their interests.” “Congratulations to Peter Magyar on winning the election! I look forward to working together on what unites Estonia, Hungary and Europe,” Michal said. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, hailed Magyar’s victory and said “Hungary has chosen Europe”. “A country reclaims its European path. The Union grows stronger. Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. Together we are stronger,” von der Leyen said on X. “A country returns to its European path. The Union becomes stronger… Europe’s heart is beating stronger in Hungary tonight.” Advertisement AboutAboutShow moreAbout UsCode of EthicsTerms and ConditionsEU/EEA Regulatory NoticePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyCookie PreferencesAccessibility StatementSitemapWork for usConnectConnectShow moreContact UsUser Accounts HelpAdvertise with usStay ConnectedNewslettersChannel FinderTV SchedulePodcastsSubmit a TipPaid Partner ContentOur ChannelsOur ChannelsShow moreAl Jazeera ArabicAl Jazeera EnglishAl Jazeera Investigative UnitAl Jazeera MubasherAl Jazeera DocumentaryAl Jazeera BalkansAJ+Our NetworkOur NetworkShow moreAl Jazeera Centre for StudiesAl Jazeera Media InstituteLearn ArabicAl Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human RightsAl Jazeera ForumAl Jazeera Hotel PartnersFollow Al Jazeera English: