EU politicians, including former Belgian PM Sophie Wilmès, have broadly welcomed the outcome of Hungary’s keenly-awaited elections.
The Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar,won a two-thirds majority in the Hungarian parliamentary elections, with 98.9% of the votes counted on Monday.
Voter turnout hit a record high of close to 80%.
According to the results available at the time of writing, Tisza won 138 out of 199 parliamentary seats, with the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition dropping to 55 seats and far-right Hazánk securing 6 mandates.
No other party is set to enter the next parliament.
Viktor Orbán conceded defeat on election night, with Magyar writing on social media that the prime minister had called to congratulate him.
“The election results are painful for us, but clear… We are going to serve the Hungarian nation and our homeland from opposition,” Orbán told his followers.
Reaction from MEPs has been swift
Sophie Wilmès, Vice-President of the European Parliament and Chair of the working group on Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights (DRFMG), added: “This result shows that Orbán’s illiberal, authoritarian model is neither inevitable nor irreversible.
“The Hungarian people have had enough of fear, corruption, isolation, and the steady erosion of their freedoms.
“The political change they chose carries the promise of a project grounded in respect for Europe, the rule of law and our democratic values. Restoring democracy will require significant effort and sustained political will. The damage done is substantial.
“The EU, its institutions and Renew Europe in particular are strong allies in this ambitious endeavour. We stand with the Hungarian people—full-fledged European citizens—as we always have.”
