5 things to know as Trump and Putin's ally Viktor Orban loses election

Viktor Orban conceded the election to Peter Magyar after 16 years in power. The challenger is the president of the Tisza Party – a conservative centre-to-centre-right pro-European populist party – and has served as a member of the European Parliament since 2024. Magyar, 45, said his movement seeks to move beyond the “old left–right divide” in Hungarian politics. He also used to be a member of Orban’s Fidesz Party – a Christian nationalist far-right party – but resigned after the deputy director of a children’s home convicted of covering up child sexual abuse was pardoned by the president.

Orban, who ran the most autocratic government in Europe, had to look further afield for allies during his 16-year reign, namely to Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. In the last six months alone, the US President publicly endorsed Orban five times and promised to aid him with the “full Economic Might of the United States”. He wrote on Truth Social: “My Administration stands ready to use the full Economic Might of the United States to strengthen Hungary’s Economy, as we have done for our Great Allies in the past, if Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Hungarian People ever need it. We are excited to invest in the future Prosperity that will be generated by Orbán’s continued Leadership!” Putin has also lost his closest ally in the European Union, with Hungary regularly trying to block aid to Ukraine.

EU leaders are expected to be celebrating Magyar’s win. He has expressed support for adopting the euro in Hungary once the necessary economic conditions are met. He argues that adopting the currency would strengthen financial stability and the country’s position within the EU. Magyar defines himself as strongly pro-European, supporting deeper cooperation within the EU and alignment with Western democratic values. European Commission President Ursula von ⁠der Leyen responded to the election: “Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. A country reclaims its European path. The Union grows stronger…. Europe’s heart is beating stronger in ​Hungary tonight.”

Orban blocked 90 billion euros (£78 billion) in European support for Ukraine, and while Magyar does not appear to be anti-Ukraine, he previously expressed concerns over Kyiv being allowed to join the EU. He argued that, along with the country wanting to join NATO, it would “increase the chances of World War Three”. However, he does not wholly oppose Ukraine joining the EU, and on Sunday night spoke more generally about clarifying “outstanding issues” with European neighbours. Volodymy Zelensky congratulated Magyar, saying: “It is important when constructive approach prevails. Ukraine has always sought good-neighbourly relations with everyone in Europe and we are ready to advance our cooperation with Hungary.”

The new Hungarian parliament is expected to be sworn in on May 12, though this date has not been finalised. After securing a supermajority, Magyar will be able to change the constitution and get rid of Orban’s “illiberal democracy” by loosening state control over the judiciary, state companies, and the media. He called for a number of resignations, including the President Tamás Sulyok and the presidents of the supreme court, the judicial council, the state audit office, the competition authority, and the media authority. The new prime minister said his first foreign trip would be to Poland, then Austria, then Brussels “to get the funds that the Hungarians deserve”.