Elections in Hungary. What Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his rival Péter Magyar said after they voted
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said he entered the election race “to win” after casting his vote at a polling station in Budapest on Sunday morning.
Viktor Orban and Péter Magyar/PHOTO:X
The leader of the Fidesz party arrived at the polls around 8:30 a.m. and spoke to journalists afterward, hailing the high turnout in the early hours of the day. He said a high turnout was traditionally in his party's favor and encouraged voters to vote, describing the poll as “a celebration of democracy”.
Asked about the election result, Orbán said that the voters' verdict must be respected, stressing the importance of the constitutional framework. He added that his government had made progress in recent years, although the pace could have been faster “in a more favorable international context”.
The prime minister also hinted that he does not intend to retire from political life, stating that this will not be his last participation in the elections, MTI reports.
Referring to foreign policy, Orbán said that Hungary pursues close relations with Serbia and wants strong partnerships with the leaders of other major states. Regarding the European Union, he said that Budapest will defend its rights as a member state and opposes any form of integration that would limit national sovereignty.
The Prime Minister also warned of possible economic and energy crises in Europe, saying that national unity is needed to face future challenges.
Péter Magyar: the vote could mark “regime change” in Hungary
At the same time, his main rival Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party, said after voting that the vote could mark “regime change” in Hungary.
He said voters are deciding between fundamental directions for the country, including geopolitical orientation, the level of transparency of public life and the state of the economy. Magyar encouraged turnout and described early turnout data as a sign that voters are realizing the importance of the moment.
At the same time, the leader of the opposition claimed that there are risks related to the integrity of the electoral process and stated that his party received notifications regarding possible irregularities, without providing concrete details.
Magyar said he expected a favorable outcome and spoke of the beginning of a “new stage” in politics, in which institutions and the media would operate on a more balanced basis.
He also said that, in the event of a victory, he would prioritize anti-corruption measures, strengthening relations with the European Union and attracting European funds. He also mentioned the intention to introduce term limits for prime ministers and to reform state institutions.
The election is considered one of the most important in recent years in Hungary, and the outcome could have significant implications for both domestic politics and the country's international positioning.
