Sad commentary on the modern world where my first thought was, well good for Orban to concede defeat. Not all current world heads of state have that much maturity.
This bodes well for the midterm state of the European union.
Pulling a Trump requires a polarized electorate where you are mostly going to have both parties in 48-52% range, with only real fights in few battleground states, and no absurd change in total vote %. Even Trump won't pull a Trump if other party was nearing 2/3rd majority. I am not even sure of what would happen to American politics if a party reaches 2/3rd majority in both houses, a list of long pending reforms might finally become possible.
It's worth noting that the party vote share here was 53% for Tisza vs. 44% for the even-more-right-wing parties. The fact that this results in a two thirds majority is because the electoral system inflates the strongest party. Orbán has previously achieved two thirds majorities multiple times while winning less than 50% of the party vote. Most seats are assigned not through party lists but in single-member constituencies with first-past-the-post voting, same as in America. So it's not "convince two thirds of the people to vote for you", it's "convince a very slim plurality in two thirds of the constituencies to vote for you".
I suspected he would lose when he was recently visited and supported by Vance. Nobody likes Vance (in Europe, and probably anywhere). Getting prominent backing by an unlikable character isn’t a winning strategy.
Also, the fact of faking a terror attack and everybody just shrugging it off as an obvious Russian false flag op. I think even Orbán understood at that point that the jig was up.
Amazing news for EU! If Tisza can get supermajority after votes are counted then they can also easily reverse a lot of constitutional corruption in Hungary done by Orban.
My guess is it's flagged by Americans (it's their daytime) who don't realize the significance of this result to the EU and potentially the EU's response to the war in Ukraine.
American here. I was at a party when I saw the news and gleefully announced it to the table I was sitting at. We were all pleased with both the result and the concession.
You know, I took a second look at it, and weirdly enough, I can't vouch it for some reason. That's odd. Grats to the good folks across the pond though! May we be so lucky when next our transition is scheduled!
Probably flagged by MAGA and pro-Kremlin aligned accounts who dislike the results and uppercase Liberal limousine establishment Democrats who try to censor every view they don't already agree with. If these were normal times, the I'd say keep sex, religion, and politics private except not the latter when liberal democratic politicians, speech-debate, and journalism are/were under fire in many sectors and countries. I'm hoping with this result that Hungary will experience much greater press and personal freedom.. and the corruption will hopefully be exposed more widely similar to Caolan Robertson only hinting at some of the extravagant emoluments and embezzlement. https://youtu.be/HiayCdysN04
Unfortunatlely, half democracies (ie representative) are open to abuse and give too much power to presidents or governments. Combined with populism, lobbying and corruption, it allows people like Orban to stay in power for a long time. Glad it's over.
For both: I prefer to see it all rather than to assume it will be fine. Oh, and we still have Fico to deal with. But at least Hungarians have chosen against Orban that in itself gives some hope. Those leaked phone calls that were made public in the last weeks were very damning, I always assumed that such stuff was going on but to have hard proof is on another level.
I wonder what they're going to do with the participants. And what Orban's plans are now that he's in the opposition. I would not count him out just yet, he's got Putin's backing and you can bet they'll work overtime to try to destabilize Magyar's government. The rot goes pretty deep and it will take a lot of work to undo all that damage.
Orban is only 63; it's up to him what he will do but there is a certain type of people that could live happily on their own island with all the money they have stolen but they prefer to do evil to their last day. See for example Babis, delegating the ownership of his huge company to a trust fund so he can be a prime minister again at 70. Or indeed our great leader Fico who is in politics like Orban since '89, was prime minister around 15 years of the last 20, probably stolen billions for himself, was shot, nearly killed, and doesn't look like he wants to give up his power anytime soon.. and he's still only 62.
Yes, he basically have the same views, except on Russia. One advantage though is that Orban put his people at the head of Hungary corporations, so maybe that will end and the corruption will be kept at "normal" levels.
Yes, that's true. But there is enough about Magyar that I don't understand that I'm cautiously optimistic. Though it would be hard to imagine worse than Orban...
JD Vance strikes again. I wonder how long it will take US politicians and assorted billionaires to realize that their 'endorsements' will backfire.
"...will take US politicians and assorted billionaires to realize that their 'endorsements' will backfire..."
They may have to switch off their AI and start using their own brain - should they still have one, that is.
which balance? orban was a parasite, trying to embezzle as much money from the EU without getting the boot (hungary as the biggest per-head receiver of EU funds), while probably also getting paid by russia - a hostile actor - for his actions (i.e. sabotaging the union and sowing dissent through propaganda). there was no balance there.
Good. I visited Hungary years ago, and I loved the time I spent there. It saddened me a bit to see its sliding into autocracy and being relegated to be a Russian vassal state.
Hopefully the damage Orban caused to Hugarian institutions get reversed.
It all seems so easy, despite the efforts of Putin and the US to support a guy that was there for almost two decades. I wonder if the incumbent party is, somehow, in the pocket of those fascists. I have a hard time accepting they’d just shrug and move on from being able to control a puppet state that’s the thorn in EU’s side.
Any reason not to be so cynical? I am unfamiliar with the details of Hungarian politics, but I can’t help wondering if it is staged. And why would Orbán just roll over after all this time in power?
> I have a hard time accepting they’d just shrug and move on from being able to control a puppet state that’s the thorn in EU’s side.
What can they realistically do? Invade Hungary?
> And why would Orbán just roll over after all this time in power?
What can he realistically do? A coup? With such a devastating defeat this would only lead to massive protests, which would completely ruin his political career. Meanwhile he can take a step back and think how to get back to the game in the next election.
As bad as Orban was, and as manipulated the election process was, he always won using legit votes. Which was both his strength and his weakness.
I knew the projections were looking really grim for Orban after watching JD Vance putting Trump on speakerphone five days ago during his Hungary visit. That was awkward.
What? 4$ gas until November Mr.President? Who doesn’t love paying 30% more for Gas out of their pocket for a war that is already won. Tremendous work Mr. President. A capital V victory.
Sad commentary on the modern world where my first thought was, well good for Orban to concede defeat. Not all current world heads of state have that much maturity.
This bodes well for the midterm state of the European union.
Peaceful transition of power is definitely something to cheer about.
Sadly so. In the last decades it was just normal for almost all countries. It's kind of maddening how low Trump lowered the bar for politicians.
As a fellow European this is the biggest surprise of the election, I thought for sure he'd pull a Trump.
Pulling a Trump requires a polarized electorate where you are mostly going to have both parties in 48-52% range, with only real fights in few battleground states, and no absurd change in total vote %. Even Trump won't pull a Trump if other party was nearing 2/3rd majority. I am not even sure of what would happen to American politics if a party reaches 2/3rd majority in both houses, a list of long pending reforms might finally become possible.
It's worth noting that the party vote share here was 53% for Tisza vs. 44% for the even-more-right-wing parties. The fact that this results in a two thirds majority is because the electoral system inflates the strongest party. Orbán has previously achieved two thirds majorities multiple times while winning less than 50% of the party vote. Most seats are assigned not through party lists but in single-member constituencies with first-past-the-post voting, same as in America. So it's not "convince two thirds of the people to vote for you", it's "convince a very slim plurality in two thirds of the constituencies to vote for you".
If anyone can bring about enough disappointment and disgust for 2/3 of the population to vote Democrat, it is Trump.
Also an election system designed for horseback.
I think it's pretty damn brilliant. I see the failure to maintain it as intended as the real shortcoming.
Getting arrested after losing an election? Or getting arrested as an opposition candidate in an election which he later won?
Seems like it was a clear reference to January 6.
No, this is not sad commentary on the modern world.
I suspected he would lose when he was recently visited and supported by Vance. Nobody likes Vance (in Europe, and probably anywhere). Getting prominent backing by an unlikable character isn’t a winning strategy.
Also, the fact of faking a terror attack and everybody just shrugging it off as an obvious Russian false flag op. I think even Orbán understood at that point that the jig was up.
Amazing news for EU! If Tisza can get supermajority after votes are counted then they can also easily reverse a lot of constitutional corruption in Hungary done by Orban.
Why is this and all other posts about this flagged?
"unpolitical" people don't like being reminded what their stance brings to
Flagged due to sour grapes.
My guess is it's flagged by Americans (it's their daytime) who don't realize the significance of this result to the EU and potentially the EU's response to the war in Ukraine.
American here. I was at a party when I saw the news and gleefully announced it to the table I was sitting at. We were all pleased with both the result and the concession.
...we know.
You know, I took a second look at it, and weirdly enough, I can't vouch it for some reason. That's odd. Grats to the good folks across the pond though! May we be so lucky when next our transition is scheduled!
> You know, I took a second look at it, and weirdly enough, I can't vouch it for some reason.
The 'vouch' option doesn't appear until/unless the post becomes [dead].
Probably flagged by MAGA and pro-Kremlin aligned accounts who dislike the results and uppercase Liberal limousine establishment Democrats who try to censor every view they don't already agree with. If these were normal times, the I'd say keep sex, religion, and politics private except not the latter when liberal democratic politicians, speech-debate, and journalism are/were under fire in many sectors and countries. I'm hoping with this result that Hungary will experience much greater press and personal freedom.. and the corruption will hopefully be exposed more widely similar to Caolan Robertson only hinting at some of the extravagant emoluments and embezzlement. https://youtu.be/HiayCdysN04
Eh, I guess that people that flagged it know quite well what this result mean to the EU, they just hate it because they want to see the EU fail.
contesting election results untruthfully always existed, but since 2021 the result is not the headline anymore, the concession is
Happy for Hungary!
Unfortunatlely, half democracies (ie representative) are open to abuse and give too much power to presidents or governments. Combined with populism, lobbying and corruption, it allows people like Orban to stay in power for a long time. Glad it's over.
Welcome back to Europe, Hungary.
Time will tell. Keep in mind that his successor was part of Orban's party in the past.
I don't know much about him, only that he was in the same party. I have heard that he is pro-EU and anti-Russia though, is that true?
"Russians go home" was one of the main chants at opposition rallies. In 2026 like in 1989.
Pro-EU: probably. Anti-Russia: also probably.
For both: I prefer to see it all rather than to assume it will be fine. Oh, and we still have Fico to deal with. But at least Hungarians have chosen against Orban that in itself gives some hope. Those leaked phone calls that were made public in the last weeks were very damning, I always assumed that such stuff was going on but to have hard proof is on another level.
I wonder what they're going to do with the participants. And what Orban's plans are now that he's in the opposition. I would not count him out just yet, he's got Putin's backing and you can bet they'll work overtime to try to destabilize Magyar's government. The rot goes pretty deep and it will take a lot of work to undo all that damage.
Orban is only 63; it's up to him what he will do but there is a certain type of people that could live happily on their own island with all the money they have stolen but they prefer to do evil to their last day. See for example Babis, delegating the ownership of his huge company to a trust fund so he can be a prime minister again at 70. Or indeed our great leader Fico who is in politics like Orban since '89, was prime minister around 15 years of the last 20, probably stolen billions for himself, was shot, nearly killed, and doesn't look like he wants to give up his power anytime soon.. and he's still only 62.
Yes, he basically have the same views, except on Russia. One advantage though is that Orban put his people at the head of Hungary corporations, so maybe that will end and the corruption will be kept at "normal" levels.
> A country where no one is stigmatized for loving someone differently than the majority.
-- Peter Magyar victory speech, April 12, 2026
That's directly in opposition to Orban's views and homophobic laws.
From your perspective as afaik nowadays a Californian progressive: Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.
Yes, that's true. But there is enough about Magyar that I don't understand that I'm cautiously optimistic. Though it would be hard to imagine worse than Orban...
JD Vance strikes again. I wonder how long it will take US politicians and assorted billionaires to realize that their 'endorsements' will backfire.
Shhhh. Don't correct your enemy while they are busy making mistakes. Just smile and wave.
"...will take US politicians and assorted billionaires to realize that their 'endorsements' will backfire..." They may have to switch off their AI and start using their own brain - should they still have one, that is.
They all start from the same root whether Trump (once a democrat), BJP (part of congress, oldest political party in India)
Ooooh. I didn't think it would happen. This disturbs the balance a bit.
which balance? orban was a parasite, trying to embezzle as much money from the EU without getting the boot (hungary as the biggest per-head receiver of EU funds), while probably also getting paid by russia - a hostile actor - for his actions (i.e. sabotaging the union and sowing dissent through propaganda). there was no balance there.
It really feels like the tides are turning against the cancer that is populism.
Good. I visited Hungary years ago, and I loved the time I spent there. It saddened me a bit to see its sliding into autocracy and being relegated to be a Russian vassal state.
Hopefully the damage Orban caused to Hugarian institutions get reversed.
Thank god Vance showed up to support him!
Vance also knocked off Pope Francis, and the Iran deal last night. Maybe we can send him to Moscow next.
I bet Viktor felt too uncomfortable to tell him "no please don't come stay in the USA, you are political poison"
Vance is on track to replace Dan Quayle at the bottom of the Civ leader rankings.
Yes but has Orban even said thank you?
It all seems so easy, despite the efforts of Putin and the US to support a guy that was there for almost two decades. I wonder if the incumbent party is, somehow, in the pocket of those fascists. I have a hard time accepting they’d just shrug and move on from being able to control a puppet state that’s the thorn in EU’s side.
Any reason not to be so cynical? I am unfamiliar with the details of Hungarian politics, but I can’t help wondering if it is staged. And why would Orbán just roll over after all this time in power?
> I have a hard time accepting they’d just shrug and move on from being able to control a puppet state that’s the thorn in EU’s side.
What can they realistically do? Invade Hungary?
> And why would Orbán just roll over after all this time in power?
What can he realistically do? A coup? With such a devastating defeat this would only lead to massive protests, which would completely ruin his political career. Meanwhile he can take a step back and think how to get back to the game in the next election.
As bad as Orban was, and as manipulated the election process was, he always won using legit votes. Which was both his strength and his weakness.
I knew the projections were looking really grim for Orban after watching JD Vance putting Trump on speakerphone five days ago during his Hungary visit. That was awkward.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GUoCvIMrgc
They must be really tired of winning by now.
What? 4$ gas until November Mr.President? Who doesn’t love paying 30% more for Gas out of their pocket for a war that is already won. Tremendous work Mr. President. A capital V victory.