Magyar wins over Orban by a landslide

Peter Magyar's conservative Tisza party has secured a crucial two-thirds majority in Hungary's parliament after a historic election on Sunday that ends 16 years of rule by far-right leader Viktor Orban.

With nearly 99 percent of ballots counted, Magyar's party is on track for 138 seats, with Orban's Fidesz on 55 and the far-right Mi Hazank on six.

That tally gives the incoming government a supermajority, which allows it to overhaul Orban's policies, and reset Hungary's global relationships.

Magyar has pledged to fight corruption, unlock billions in frozen European Union funds, tax the wealthiest, and fix Hungary's ailing healthcare system.

In his victory speech in Budapest, Hungary's capital, Magyar told his supporters: "All Hungarians know that this is a shared victory. Our homeland made up its mind. It wants to live again. It wants to be a European country.

"No single party has ever received such a strong mandate," he said, after a record 79.5 percent of the electorate turned out to vote.

Magyar, called on President Tamas Sulyok on Monday to convene a new parliament as soon as possible, as he said there was "no time to waste".

The new parliament will be formed next month, with Orban and his Fidesz party remaining as the caretaker government until then.

Magyar said the results of the election would become final by May 4 at the latest, and additional votes coming in from abroad could boost the number of seats won by Tisza even further.

Orban quickly conceded defeat in a vote seen as pivotal for Hungary and Europe. "The result of the election is clear and painful," he told supporters, thanking the estimated 2.5 million Hungarians who stuck by him. "The days ahead of us are for us to heal our wounds."

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised Magyar's win as "a good day", sending "a very clear signal against right-wing populism".

"Today Europe wins and European values win," said Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in a post on X on Sunday night.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk hailed the result, saying on X:"Back together! Glorious victory, dear friends!"

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico and the Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, political allies of Orban, congratulated Magyar on his win.

Fico, who had backed Orban before voting began, promised ongoing cooperation.

"With full respect, I take note of the decision of the citizens of Hungary … and am ready for intensive cooperation with the new Hungarian prime minister, whom I congratulate on the election result," Fico said in a statement.

Babis also pledged his cooperation on X. "Facing such a strong opponent as Viktor Orban was never easy, yet he earned the trust of the majority of Hungarians and carries great hopes and expectations," said the Czech leader.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni acknowledged Magyar's "clear election victory", and also thanked Orban "for the intense collaboration over the years" in a post on X.

'Bond of friendship'

"Italy and Hungary are nations linked by a deep bond of friendship, and I am certain that we will continue to collaborate constructively in the interests of our peoples and address common challenges at the European and international levels," said Italy's right-wing leader.

The White House offered no reaction, and there was no comment from United States Vice-President JD Vance, who had campaigned for Orban in Budapest last week on an "unprecedented" trip.

China extends congratulations to Hungary's Tisza party led by Magyar on winning the parliamentary elections, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday at a daily news briefing.

Noting that China attaches great importance to the development of China-Hungary relations, spokesman Guo Jiakun said China is willing to, on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, strengthen high-level exchanges with the new Hungarian government, enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges to better benefit the two peoples.

The Kremlin said on Monday it hoped to continue its "highly pragmatic ties" with Hungary's new political leadership.

"Hungary has made its choice, and we respect that choice," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"We look forward to continuing our highly pragmatic engagement with Hungary's new leadership. We noted Magyar's statement regarding his willingness to engage in dialogue. Naturally, this will be beneficial for both Moscow and Budapest."

Xinhua and agencies contributed to this story.

jonathan@mail.chinadailyuk.com