Outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claims a “great victory” in Hungary | Abroad

Addressing a cheering crowd that chanted his name, Orbán said: “We have won a great victory – a victory so great that you may be able to see it from the moon and certainly from Brussels.”

During the Hungarian parliamentary elections, the entire opposition united against outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Six parties are represented in the United for Hungary opposition coalition, from the radical right to the ecological left.

Orban (58) is Hungarian prime minister for the second time since 2010. He also ruled the country between 1998 and 2002. He restricted press freedom and, critics say, manipulated democracy as he pleased. Developments in the country have been a thorn in Brussels’ side for years.

Marki-Zay, 49, had been chosen by opposition parties as Orbán’s challenger. He says he wants to make the country more democratic and defends a more pro-European approach. According to him, the elections were a choice between Orbán and affiliation with Russia, or opposition and affiliation with the West. He admitted losing to Orbán on Sunday night. Orbán is one of Putin’s most important allies in Europe, he condemned the invasion of Ukraine, but went less far than his European colleagues.

Hungarians could also vote on new LGBTI policies, which would make it nearly impossible to openly admit anything other than heterosexuality. Early results did not provide any guidance on these issues.