Hungary ends 16-year political era as Viktor Orbán loses power

The Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, who is one of the most ardent nationalists in the history of the country, was defeated in Sunday's parliamentary elections after 16 years of ruling the country, which is considered a blow to his supporters, namely Russia and President Donald Trump's administration.

Although Viktor Orban, at the age of 62, was known for being the architect of what he called an "illiberal democracy", he became unpopular among his compatriots due to the economic decline in the country, its isolation from the international community, and the accumulation of wealth among oligarchs.

In this way, the new government led by Peter Magyar, the 45-year-old leader of the center-right opposition movement Tisza, will be able to carry out reforms that were needed in order to return to the normal political course of Hungary.

“We did it. Tisza and Hungary have won this election,” Magyar announced to tens of thousands of cheering fans on the fancy Danube River embankment in Budapest’s city center.

The crowd held candles as loudspeakers played Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” until Magyar arrived on stage. "Together, we have overturned the Orban system and we have taken back our country, we have made Hungary free," he declared.

The election was framed by Magyar as one of "East versus West," and he warned Hungarians of Orban's belligerent policies against Brussels leading Hungary away from Europe. Orban argued that Tisza would pull Hungary into a fight with Russia, which Magyar denied.

"For us, the results of the election are bitter but obvious," Orban addressed his supporters in the Fidesz campaign office. His fans, who were listening to him on TVs at Fidesz headquarters, were crying.