Prime Minister Viktor Orbán left power after 16 years at the helm of the country, while the opposition led by Péter Magyar declared victory.
On Sunday night, the bridge was illuminated in the colors of the Hungarian flag, red, white and green, as thousands of citizens took to the streets to celebrate. The atmosphere in the capital was filled with enthusiasm and strong emotions, with many citizens experiencing this moment as a historic turning point for the country.
Magyar, leader of the Tisza party and winner of the election, addressed supporters with an enthusiastic speech: “We did it. We overthrew the Orbán regime – together we liberated Hungary. We took back our homeland!”
The elections were marked by record turnout, reflecting the high political interest and tension in the country. Despite Orbán's long-standing control over state media, changes to the electoral system, and the large influence of his entourage in state institutions, his Fidesz party failed to retain power.
In the streets of Budapest, citizens celebrated with cheers, songs and strong emotions. Some of them said they had voted with tears in their eyes, while others still could not believe the result. Part of the crowd chanted slogans against Russian influence, reflecting a geopolitical dimension to these elections.
Orbán's downfall is seen as a blow to Vladimir Putin, who had an important ally within the European Union. In recent years, Orbán had delayed sanctions packages against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine and blocked a key EU loan for Kiev.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately reacted by congratulating Hungary and expressing readiness to cooperate with the new government.
Reactions in Europe were largely positive. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the result a historic moment for European democracy, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that Hungary had chosen the European path.
On the other hand, in the United States, President Donald Trump is expected to be unhappy with the result, as Orbán was one of his closest allies in Europe and an important figure on the nationalist right.
Analysts say Orbán's defeat is not only linked to international factors, but also to domestic developments. High inflation, falling living standards, and perceptions of corruption and favoritism in the inner circle of power have contributed to the government's decline in support. Even his former supporters have expressed open disappointment.
Péter Magyar, a new figure on the political scene but with a move to the Fidesz party, is considered an energetic and conservative center-right politician. He has promised deep reforms to “overthrow the old system,” improve the economy, and rebuild relations with the European Union, while at the same time is expected to maintain some traditional policies on social issues.
However, the challenges for the new government are numerous. Citizens are demanding immediate improvement in the economy, reduction in inflation, and increased quality of public services, which have declined in recent years.
At the end of his speech, Magyar said: "Tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow, we start work!", signaling the start of a new phase for Hungary.
He is expected to be officially mandated by the Hungarian president to form a new government within about a month, thus opening a new chapter in the country's politics.
