Balkan Leaders Congratulate Magyar on Hungary Win; Orban Allies Regretful

Leaders across the Balkans congratulated Peter Magyar and the Tisza Party after they triumphed over Viktor Orban’s Fidesz – Orban’s Serb allies also praised the defeated right-wing strongman.

Balkan political allies of Peter Magyar’s opposition party Tisza reacted with enthusiasm to its landslide victory in Sunday’s general elections in Hungary that ended the 16-year rule of Viktor Orban’s Fidesz.

“I just spoke to Peter Magyar on the phone and congratulated him on his convincing election victory in Hungary,” Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic wrote on X.

“Our objective is to enhance political dialogue, deepen economic and energy cooperation, and address outstanding issues in a spirit of good neighbourliness and partnership,” added Plenkovic, whose Christian Democratic Union, like Magyar’s Tisza, is a member of the European People’s Party alliance at the European level.

Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, whose National Liberal Party is also a member of the European People’s Party, offered “warm congratulations”.

“Our priority is to work together to improve the lives of our citizens, in a stronger, more united, and more competitive European Union,” said Bolojan in a possible reference to Orban’s disruptive tactics within the European bloc.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic also expressed hope for improved ties between Budapest and Sarajevo after strained relations during Orban’s tenure.

“We look forward to a new chapter in relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary, based on mutual respect, genuine partnership and shared European values,” Konakovic wrote on X.

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti, also writing on X, said his country “welcomes the Hungarian people’s support for European Union values”.

During his long rule, Orban developed strong relationships with right-wing Serb politicians, particularly the president of neighbouring Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and the Bosnian Serbs’ strongman leader Milorad Dodik.

Vucic congratulated Magyar on his victory, while praising his outgoing ally Orban.

“I believe in the continuation of good cooperation between Hungary and Serbia, and I am grateful to Viktor Orban for making such relations possible,” Vucic wrote on X.

The evening before the elections in Hungary, Vucic posted a message of support for Orban on Instagram, stating he was “infinitely grateful to him for the friendship between Serbs and Hungarians… Whatever the result, thank you, Viktor, for everything and support in the elections tomorrow.”

In Republika Srpska, Bosnia’s Serb-dominated entity, the President of the National Assembly, Nenad Stevandic, did not congratulate Magyar but lavished praise on Orban instead, suggesting he could rise again, “phoenix-like”.

“Orban has lost a political battle, but laid the foundations of European sovereigntism, anti-migration and anti-war policies,” Stevandic wrote on X.

In Turkey, the opposition welcomed Magyar’s victory over Orban, who had good relations with the autocratic Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“From a prison cell in Silivri, I send my warmest congratulations to the Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar and to every voter who stood in line to defend the rule of law,” imprisoned Istanbul mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu wrote on X.

“Your victory belongs to all of us who believe that ballots are stronger than fear, and that justice, however delayed, is never defeated. Istanbul stands with Budapest. The tide is turning,” Imamoglu declared.

President Erdogan has not made any statement about the result so far.