The president of the European Commission became a constant target of Orbán's attacks and was the negative heroine of the election posters with which the party of the Hungarian prime minister littered the country.
“Tonight, the heart of Europe beats stronger in Hungary,” European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote in a message in English and Hungarian posted on the X platform.
Ma is Európa szíve szőrmen dobog Magyarországgon.
Europe's heart is beating stronger in Hungary tonight.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 12, 2026
Her reaction came after results confirmed the victory of the opposition led by Péter Magyar over Viktor Orbán, with Tisza's party credited with a constitutional majority.
Viktor Orbán gave a speech at Fidesz headquarters and says the election result is “clear”, conceding defeat.
Hungarians voted in large numbers (over 77.8%) on Sunday in a crucial election for the country's future, closely watched in the EU, Moscow and Washington.
And Brussels officials were particularly interested.
A eurosceptic nationalist who created a model of “illiberal democracy” held up as an example by Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement and its admirers in Europe, Orbán managed to maintain control of the country for four terms.
Many EU colleagues have criticized Orban, who has maintained close ties to Russia, for what they call an erosion of democracy, press freedom and minority rights in Hungary.
Von der Leyen became a constant target of Orban's attacks and was the negative heroine of the election posters with which the prime minister's party littered the country.
An Orbán defeat will deprive Russia of its closest EU ally, while for Ukraine it could mean unlocking a €90bn EU loan vital to its war effort, which the Hungarian leader has so far blocked.
