Katya Adler: Jubilation in Budapest will be felt in Europe but leaves Moscow cold
Katya Adler: Budapest’s Joy Resonates Across Europe, Yet Fails to Warm Moscow
Budapest’s Chain Bridge, a symbol of the city’s duality, connects the historic Buda district with the lively Pest borough over the Danube. Its nighttime glow, typically a backdrop for tourist photographs, took on a new meaning this Sunday. The bridge was illuminated in green, white, and red—the Hungarian flag—after an unexpected electoral shift that ended Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure. Supporters of Péter Magyar and his Tisza party celebrated with a mix of relief and pride, believing they had reclaimed Hungary’s future.
Magyar’s victory speech echoed a sense of collective triumph. “We did it,” he declared.
We brought down the Orbán regime—gether we liberated Hungary. We took back our homeland! Thank you! Thank you all!
The crowd’s excitement was palpable, with first-time voters dancing in the early hours of Monday. “I cried when I marked my ballot,” said Zofia, a friend. “Still can’t believe it. But it’s true!” Her group chanted, “Russians Go Home!”—a slogan once used by Orbán during Hungary’s communist era.
A Slogan’s Return and a Shift in Politics
Orbán’s defeat marks a full-circle moment. In 1989, he popularized the phrase “Russians Go Home” during Hungary’s anti-communist protests. Yet over time, his political stance evolved. He embraced an authoritarian model, aligning closely with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Critics now reclaimed his old rallying cry, highlighting his ties to Moscow.
Orbán’s removal is a significant setback for Putin, who relied on the Hungarian leader as an EU ally. Orbán had stalled sanction packages after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and blocked a major EU loan to Kyiv. Zelensky, however, greeted the news with cautious optimism, posting on X: “Look forward to constructive work.” His restrained praise reflects the challenge of winning over a nation wary of Russia’s influence.
The Broader European Implications
European leaders reacted with mixed emotions. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the event a milestone for democratic progress, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Hungary’s return to European alignment. In contrast, Donald Trump likely viewed the result as a loss. Orbán had been his staunchest ally in the EU, with Trump’s vice-president attending a pro-Orbán rally during the Iran conflict.
Though some analysts see Orbán’s downfall as a turning point for populist nationalism, Katya Adler cautions against overgeneralizing. Both Orbán and Trump admire the former leader as a Christian nationalist icon. Steve Bannon, a key Trump strategist, once called Orbán a “hero.” Yet Magyar’s rise signals a possible recalibration, as he vows not to reverse Orbán’s stance on Ukraine’s war, fearing backlash from Hungarian voters.
