'Now we have democracy': Hungarians jubilant as Orbán ousted after 16 years in charge
The right-wing populist conceded on Sunday after sueffering a thumping defeat by the upstart opposition Tisza party.
Jubilant Hungarians have shared their reactions after authoritarian populist Viktor Orbán was trounced in the country’s election after 16 years in power.
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The right-wing politician conceded defeat on Sunday as the upstart opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, triumphed with a landslide victory.
The people of Hungary are hopeful the result could open the way for reforms to combat corruption and restore the independence of the judiciary and other institutions.
“A huge sense of relief and joy has taken over public life. Now, we finally have democracy,” Romeo Toth, a butcher and cook, said.
He was among a huge crowd that descended on the banks of the Danube River opposite the country’s Parliament Building in Budapest on Sunday night.
Eszter Bodrogi, 52, said: “I never thought that this would happen in my lifetime.”
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She added: “I really feel like we belong to Europe… This was taken away from us, bit by bit.”
Anna, 24, from Fejér county, said: “I really hope these next four years will be better than the past sixteen.
“And honestly, I was doubtful. I was hoping Tisza would win, but I was hopeful during the past elections, too,” she said.
Anna added that she would party into the night drinking spritzer as she celebrates with everyone on the bank of the Danube.
Nori, 24, said: “This dictatorship, it’s right-wing ideology, and all of that will disappear now, and we have a chance for a better country. I am so happy. I’m feeling hopeful and happy.”
Speaking to supporters by the banks of the Danube, the country’s new leader Péter Magyar said: "We did it.
"Together we overthrew the Hungarian regime.”
"You performed a miracle today, Hungary made history today," he told the audience, as they chanted "Ria-Ria-Hungaria!"
Celebrations continued on the streets of the city’s capital into Monday, and some even tore down the Orbán party’s anti-Ukraine posters across the city.
Many of those had already been defaced in the final days of the campaign.
Upon hearing the results, Hungarians were heard chanting “It’s over! It’s over” at Budapest’s Batthyány metro station.
An end to Orban's period in government after 16 years in power would have significant implications not only for Hungary, but for the European Union, Ukraine and beyond.
It would likely spell an end to Hungary's adversarial role inside the EU, possibly opening the way for a 90 billion euro ($105 billion) loan to war-battered Ukraine blocked by Orban.
Defeat for Orban could also mean the eventual release of EU funds to Hungary that the bloc had suspended due to what Brussels said was Orban's erosion of democratic standards.
Orban's exit will also deprive Russian President Vladimir Putin of his main ally in the EU and send shockwaves through Western right-wing circles, including the White House.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Peter Magyar on his victory over Orban in a social media post.He hailed it as a “historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy”.“I look forward to working with you for the security and prosperity of both our countries," he added.