In Hungary, Orbán’s defeat marks a new chapter in relations with Brussels

Viktor Orbán conceded defeat in the Hungarian elections last night, news that was met with visible relief by European Union leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at a press conference in Brussels today, said that this victory made the Union stronger, describing election night as exceptional. After years of repeated tensions between Budapest and Brussels, the victory of Peter Magyar and his Tisza party marks a turning point that many had given up hope of seeing.

The grievances against the outgoing government were numerous: Orbán blocked a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, obstructed sanctions packages against Russia, and his administration was perceived as a security risk during sensitive EU meetings, due to ties with the Kremlin deemed too complacent. Members of his government are even said to have passed on information from European meetings to Moscow. More recently, his repeated attacks on minorities, particularly the LGBT community, had further tarnished an already highly controversial record.

Peter Magyar, for his part, adopts a distinctly different tone towards the EU and NATO. His victory should enable the loan to Ukraine – frozen for weeks – to be released swiftly, as well as access to a package of grants worth around €10 billion that Brussels had put on hold, and €16 billion in loans for rearmament.

Analysts remain cautious, however: whilst the situation is becoming less confrontational, without the systematic blackmail of the past, it is by no means straightforward. Magyar himself has expressed reservations about certain European policies, particularly regarding energy, arguing that Russian imports must remain an option for Hungary, and his party has opposed certain changes to EU migration rules.

Von der Leyen also suggested that the Orbán experience should prompt the EU to consider abandoning the unanimity rule in foreign policy, to avoid future paralysis and blackmail by a single Member State against all the others. The New York Times

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