World reacts to Peter Magyar defeating Viktor Orban, Hungary’s longtime PM

Prime Minister Viktor Orban concedes defeat in election as early results show his Fidesz party losing parliamentary majority.Hungary’s opposition party Tisza is projected to win parliamentary elections in a landslide, 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 percent of the vote, and Orban’s Fidesz taking 38.83 percent.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3JD Vance slams Zelenskyy comments on Orban ahead of Hungary electionlist 2 of 3Hungary’s Viktor Orban struggling for political survival ahead of votelist 3 of 3Why is Hungary’s election so important on the international stage?end of listConceding defeat, Orban said that while not all the results were in yet, the situation was “understandable and clear”.“The election result is painful for us, but clear. The responsibility and possibility of governing were 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:EstoniaPrime 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.European UnionEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed Magyar’s victory, saying, “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.FrancePresident Emmanuel Macron said he spoke to Magyar to congratulate him on his victory.