Hungary’s long-time nationalist leader Viktor Orbán conceded defeat on Sunday after his Fidesz party lost power in landmark parliamentary elections. The defeat ended 16 years of rule, with voters strongly backing a pro-European line led by a centre-right challenger Peter Hungary.
With nearly half of the votes counted, Magyar’s Tisza party is expected to achieve a decisive victory, winning about 135 seats in the 199-seat National Assembly, or a two-thirds absolute majority.
“The election results are not yet final, but the situation is understandable and clear,” Orban said at the Fidesz campaign office. “The election results are painful for us, but they are clear.”
The defeat is a major blow to Orban’s international allies, including Russia and those within the Trump administration. Orban has been an outspoken critic of EU sanctions on Russia and military aid to Ukraine, often acting as a spoiler in Brussels.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, welcomed the results of
The defeat prompted sharp criticism and ridicule from the US Vice President JD VanceOn April 7, he traveled to Budapest to publicly campaign for Orban just days before the vote.
At a joint rally, Vance declared he was there to “help” Orban’s campaign, criticized the EU’s “bureaucrats in Brussels” and urged Hungarians to “stand with Viktor Orban”.
He told voters, “We want you to make decisions about your future without outside forces putting pressure on you or telling you what to do. I won’t tell you exactly who to vote for, but what I will tell you is that the bureaucrats in Brussels, those people should not be listened to.”
Vance urged those in attendance to “go to the polls this weekend and stand with Viktor Orban because he represents you.”
This support appears to be counterproductive. Ron FilipkoskiThe editor-in-chief of MeidasTouch Network captured the viral sentiment in a widely shared X post:
“JD Vance is taking a historic step:
He campaigned for the Alternative for Germany – but they lost.
Invite the Pope to come to America for Trump’s big event – Pope refuses.
Led peace talks with Iran – failed miserably.
Hungary’s campaign for Orban – he’s smoked. “
The post quickly went viral, eliciting hundreds of reactions.
One person wrote: “Anything Vance touches ‘dies.'” Bedbugs are currently more popular than JD Vance. “
Another added, “Visiting the Pope – the Pope died the next day.”
A third user commented: “He has magic.”
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