Katya Adler: Budapest’s Celebration Reflects European Shift, But Moscow Remains Unmoved

The Chain Bridge in Budapest, a symbol of the city’s divide between Buda and Pest, has long been a backdrop for tourist snapshots. But on a Sunday marked by a historic political change, its lights pulsed in green, white, and red—a vivid display of the Hungarian flag. This wasn’t just a local event; it resonated across Europe, signaling the end of an era for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had ruled for over a decade and a half. His defeat marked a turning point, as supporters of Péter Magyar and his Tisza party celebrated what they called the reclaiming of Hungary’s sovereignty.

A New Dawn for Hungary

Magyar’s victory speech echoed with triumph, a testament to the collective effort that toppled Orbán’s long-standing regime. “We did it,” he declared. “We shattered the Orbán era—united, we liberated Hungary. We’ve reclaimed our homeland! Thank you, everyone!” The crowd, many of whom were first-time voters, danced through the city’s alleys, euphoric and disbelieving. One young woman, Zofia, shared her emotional journey: “I wept when I marked my ballot. I can’t fully grasp it yet, but it happened.”

“I cried when I put the X on my ballot paper,” Zofia said. “I still can’t quite believe we did it. But we did!”

The election’s high turnout defied Orbán’s control over media and electoral systems. His party, Fidesz, had manipulated rules to favor its candidates, yet the results were a stark rebuke. Critics argued that his alignment with Vladimir Putin, despite his claims of fostering an “illiberal democracy,” had alienated many Hungarians. The phrase “Russians Go Home!” once a rallying cry for Orbán in 1989, now symbolized the irony of his downfall.

A Slogan Revisited

Orbán’s 1989 speech, urging Russians to leave Hungary, had become a relic of his past. The slogan resurfaced during Hungary’s 1956 revolution and later echoed in his campaign against globalist influences. Yet, as the new government takes shape, his policies may face scrutiny. Magyar, while not reversing Orbán’s stance on Ukraine, has pledged to ease restrictions on a €90bn loan for Kyiv, a move seen as a win for Brussels.

For Putin, Orbán’s departure is a setback. The former ally had delayed sanctions and blocked EU aid to Ukraine, positioning Hungary as a buffer against Western pressure. Zelensky, however, seized the moment, congratulating Magyar on social media and expressing optimism for future cooperation. “We look forward to constructive work together,” he wrote, a tone that contrasted with Trump’s muted reaction.

Trump, though, may not share the same enthusiasm. The U.S. leader had long backed Orbán, even dispatching his vice-president to Budapest during the Iran war to bolster his image. Their shared admiration for Orbán’s Christian nationalist vision has now shifted, as Hungary’s voters opt for a more European-aligned path.

Analysts debate whether this victory signals a plateau for populist movements or a new chapter. While Marine Le Pen’s National Rally underperformed in French local elections, the broader trend suggests a rethinking of right-wing alliances. Orbán’s fall underscores how even staunchly nationalist leaders can face internal challenges, reshaping Europe’s political landscape in unexpected ways.