BUDAPEST, April 12 – Early election returns from Hungary indicate that the opposition centre-right Tisza party is positioned to claim victory in Sunday’s national vote, bringing to a close Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s 16-year tenure in power.
The nationalist leader, who has maintained close ties with both U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia, acknowledged the electoral outcome in his remarks following the preliminary results.
PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN
“The election results are not final yet but the situation is understandable and clear. The election result is painful for us, but clear. The responsibility and possibility of governing was not given to us. I have congratulated the winner.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the apparent change in Hungarian leadership with her own statement.
URSULA VON DER LEYEN, president of the European Commission
“Europe’s heart is beating stronger in Hungary tonight.”
