Katya Adler: Jubilation in Budapest will be felt in Europe but leaves Moscow cold
Katya Adler: Budapest’s Joy Echoes Across Europe, Igniting Coldness in Moscow
The Chain Bridge in Budapest, a historic symbol of the city’s division, has long connected Buda and Pest across the Danube. Its nights are usually filled with the glow of tourist photographs, but this Sunday marked a different kind of light. The bridge was illuminated in the colors of Hungary’s national flag—green, white, and red—after an election that ended Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule. The change brought euphoria to the streets, as Péter Magyar and his Tisza party claimed victory.
A New Dawn for Hungary
Magyar’s supporters celebrated the outcome as a restoration of their nation’s direction. In his speech, he declared,
“We did it. Together we liberated Hungary. We took back our homeland! Thank you! Thank you all!”
The triumph felt like a seismic shift, with record voter participation challenging Orbán’s dominance. Despite his control over state media and electoral reforms that favored his party, Fidesz faced a decisive defeat.
Monday morning saw crowds of first-time voters dancing through Budapest’s alleys, filled with disbelief and optimism. “I cried when I marked my ballot,” said Zofia, her voice trembling. “I still can’t believe we did it. But we did!” Her group chanted, “Russians Go home!”—a slogan once wielded by Orbán himself in 1989 during Hungary’s communist era.
A Backlash Against Moscow Ties
Orbán’s alliance with Putin has become a point of contention. His delayed sanction approvals and obstruction of a €90bn EU loan to Ukraine strained relations with Brussels. Zelensky swiftly acknowledged the change, tweeting,
“I look forward to constructive work”
with Magyar. While his tone was measured, it signaled a potential shift in Eastern European alignment.
Orbán’s ousting is a blow to Moscow’s influence. For years, he positioned Hungary as a bulwark against Western pressures, even as critics accused him of cozying up to Russia. Now, his absence leaves a gap in the EU’s anti-war stance, with leaders like Sir Keir Starmer calling the result a milestone for European democracy. Meanwhile, Trump’s reaction was muted, as his support for Orbán crumbles.
Populist Nationalism on the Brink?
Magyar’s victory raises questions about the future of right-wing movements. Though he pledged to ease Hungary’s stance on EU loans, he may retain Orbán’s policies to avoid alienating voters. Steve Bannon, a Trump ally, still praised Orbán as a “hero,” but others argue the tide has turned. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party, for instance, saw less success than expected in French local elections, suggesting a plateau for populist nationalism across Europe.
