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

Katya Adler: Budapest’s Celebration Echoes Across Europe, While Moscow Remains Unmoved

The Chain Bridge in Budapest, a symbol of the city’s divide between historic Buda and modern Pest, has long been a backdrop for tourist snapshots. But on a Sunday evening, its lights cast a different hue—green, white, and red, the colors of Hungary’s national flag—signaling a seismic shift in the nation’s political landscape. For the first time in 16 years, the once-unshakable grip of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was loosened, as his Fidesz party faced a decisive defeat in the recent elections.

A New Dawn for Hungary

Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party, emerged victorious, heralding a return to a more democratic Hungary. His speech after the results resonated with supporters, who felt a sense of reclaiming their country. “We did it,” Magyar declared. “We shattered the Orbán regime—collectively, we freed Hungary. We restored our homeland! Thank you! Thank you all!”

“We did it,” Magyar said. “We shattered the Orbán regime—collectively, we freed Hungary. We restored our homeland! Thank you! Thank you all!”

With a record number of voters participating, the outcome marked a turning point. Even though Orbán had manipulated the electoral system to consolidate power and his family’s influence extended into key EU institutions, his dominance at the polls was undeniable. The Fidesz leader, once a staunch defender of Hungary’s “illiberal democracy,” now found himself ousted, as citizens embraced change.

A Slogan Revisited

The victory carried a poignant irony for Orbán. In 1989, he rose to prominence by urging Russians to leave Hungary during the Soviet era. The phrase, which spread rapidly during the 1956 anti-communist revolt, now echoed through the streets as critics chanted it at his expense. His political evolution, from a reformist to a right-wing authoritarian, had drawn sharp criticism, especially for his alliance with Vladimir Putin.

Orbán’s downfall is a setback for Moscow. As a key EU ally, he had delayed sanctions against Russia and blocked critical financial support for Ukraine. However, Zelensky swiftly acknowledged the change, tweeting that he hoped to collaborate with Magyar on “constructive work.” His restrained praise reflects a broader European sentiment—many nations view Hungary’s shift as a step toward unity against external threats.

European Leaders React

While leaders like Sir Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen celebrated the moment as a milestone for European democracy, Donald Trump’s response was less enthusiastic. Hungary’s voters have removed his most reliable European partner, a move that undermines his influence. Trump had once backed Orbán, even dispatching his vice-president to Budapest during the Iran conflict to rally support for the former prime minister.

Despite this, the broader trend of populist nationalism in Europe shows no signs of slowing. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party underperformed in French local elections, yet Orbán’s legacy as a right-wing icon persists. Steve Bannon, a proponent of such movements, still regards Orbán as a “hero.” Whether this marks a turning point or merely a pause in the rise of anti-globalist politics remains to be seen.