Merz hails Peter Magyar’s victory in Hungary

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said conservative Peter Magyar’s victory over Viktor Orban in Hungary’s parliamentary elections was a “heavy defeat” for “right-wing populism.”

“Hungary has sent a very clear signal against right-wing populism across the whole world. In that respect, yesterday (Sunday’s election day) was… a good day,” Merz said.

Orban, who has ruled Hungary for 16 years as a self-described “thorn” in the EU’s side and defended “illiberal democracy,” on Sunday conceded defeat to conservative Magyar, who won a thumping majority in the elections.

The vote, which saw a record turnout, deprives Russian President Vladimir Putin of the EU’s most sympathetic ear.
Magyar’s victory would make it easier to “coordinate closely … with our partners in the European Union” on various issues, Merz said.

“Following yesterday’s developments… we will now find it easier to reach joint decisions, including in the European Council. We will adopt a united stance on behalf of the European Union, including towards Russia,” he said.

Merz added that he was “personally very grateful and relieved that there was such a clear election result.”

“This shows that our democratic societies are evidently… resilient against Russian propaganda and external influence on such elections,” he said.

“I must say that for me, this was one of the best pieces of news yesterday — that there is evidently still such a high degree of resilience in a democratic society such as Hungary.”