Brussels [Belgium], April 13 (ANI): President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen on Monday said that Hungary chose Europe, after Hungary's long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orban conceded defeat in the parliamentary elections.

Von der Leyen said that the European Union has now become stronger.

In a post on X, she said, 'Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. A country reclaims its European path. The Union grows stronger. Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. A country returns to its European path. The Union grows stronger.'

https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/2043416848666906954?s=20

Earlier in the day, Hungary's partial official results indicated a decisive victory for Peter Magyar and his Tisza party, marking a significant political shift in the country after 16 years of continuous rule by Fidesz.

With 97.35 per cent of precincts counted, official results reported by Al Jazeera showed that Magyar's centre-right Tisza party secured 138 seats in the 199-member parliament, winning 53.6 per cent of the vote. In contrast, Orban's nationalist Fidesz party managed to secure 55 seats with 37.8 per cent of the vote, reflecting a sharp decline in support compared to previous elections.

Following the announcement of the early results, Orban accepted the outcome, effectively conceding defeat as it became clear that his party would not be able to form a majority government. The results are being widely seen as one of the most significant electoral reversals in Hungary's recent political history.

In his victory speech delivered before thousands of supporters gathered in central Budapest, Magyar said his government would seek to reposition Hungary more firmly within the European mainstream and strengthen ties with Western allies. He emphasised that Hungary's future direction would be closely aligned with European institutions and values.

'Hungary will once again be a strong ally representing Hungarian interests, because our country's place is in Europe,' Magyar said, Euro News reported.

Outlining his immediate foreign policy priorities, Magyar said his first official visits would include Warsaw and Vienna, followed by a trip to Brussels. There, he said, he would work to secure the release of billions of euros in suspended European Union funds. (ANI)