European leaders greeted Hungary’s election outcome as a chance to reset relations and strengthen the EU. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on election night that Hungary was returning to a European course, and that this would make the Union stronger. European Council President António Costa highlighted the record turnout as proof of Hungarians’ democratic engagement and said he expected close cooperation with Peter Magyar to help build a more prosperous Europe.
A string of other leaders offered congratulations and signalled readiness to work with the new Hungarian leadership. French President Emmanuel Macron framed the result as evidence of Hungarians’ attachment to EU values. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called it a gain for Europe. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz read the vote as a rejection of an irreversible drift toward authoritarianism. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted a video celebrating his call with Magyar. Italy’s Giorgia Meloni also congratulated defeated incumbent Viktor Orbán, thanking him for past cooperation, while the Czech and Slovak prime ministers — seen as Orbán allies — extended their congratulations as well.
An end to a tense chapter
The vote marks a turning point after years of strained ties between Brussels and Viktor Orbán’s government, which deteriorated over rule-of-law disputes, repeated tactical vetoes on unanimous EU decisions and — most recently — Hungary’s decision to block a €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine. Von der Leyen said lessons should be learned from the recent phase and suggested the EU should at least explore moving away from unanimity in some areas of foreign policy. The Commission stated it will begin working with the incoming Hungarian government as soon as possible.
The Ukraine loan as an early test
Magyar campaigned on restoring Hungary’s reliability as an EU and NATO partner. The immediate challenge will be the stalled €90 billion loan for Ukraine, approved for 2026–27 but held up by Hungary. Brussels officials expect Magyar to allow the payments to proceed and to stop further blocking. Julia Pocze, a rule-of-law expert at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), sees no sign that Magyar plans to keep obstructing the loan and expects approval by the end of May, possibly following a brief transition period.
Where will Magyar stand on Ukraine?
Observers will closely watch Magyar’s policy on Ukraine and on potential further EU measures. While he is a member of the European Parliament, news agencies report he opposes arms deliveries to Ukraine. An EU diplomat told DW they do not expect a dramatic reversal on Ukraine but rather continued caution. Pocze predicts a neutral stance: Hungary may refrain from sending arms but would not actively block EU or NATO support for Ukraine. She also argued there is little evidence Magyar is particularly pro‑Russian. Brussels hopes that behaviour seen under Orbán — including accusations that his government passed information to Russia about internal EU proceedings — will stop under the new administration.
Unlocking withheld EU funds
Magyar has pledged to carry out reforms demanded by Brussels so Hungary can receive roughly €17 billion frozen over rule-of-law concerns as of January 2026. The conditions cover public procurement, anti‑corruption measures and law enforcement reforms. Pocze compares the situation to Poland after Donald Tusk’s return to power, when the Commission released funds within months of announced reforms. With a two‑thirds parliamentary majority, Magyar will have the power to amend the constitution and push through his agenda, including promised anti‑corruption measures.
Areas of friction and shifting alliances
Migration is likely to remain a major fault line. Magyar has maintained a hardline anti‑immigration stance and has said he does not intend to implement the EU’s new migration pact; Hungary is still subject to a daily €1 million fine for non‑compliance with a European Court of Justice ruling on asylum policy. The migration pact must be adopted by member states by June 2026, and some leaders, including Poland’s Tusk, have also resisted parts of it. Magyar is expected to make Warsaw his first official foreign visit, where both leaders’ parties sit in the European People’s Party.
Analysts expect Magyar’s victory to bolster conservative and “Eurorealist” positions on issues such as environmental and industrial policy — a development that could unsettle parts of the EU. The incoming government’s choices on Ukraine, migration and rule-of-law reforms will shape whether the election ushers in smoother cooperation or fresh disputes.
This article first appeared in German.