Trump and Putin just lost their ‘poster boy’ in Europe. What now for Hungary?

In recent decades, the United States and Russia have rarely backed the same candidate in a foreign election. Hungary’s Viktor Orbán was an exception. But as it turned out, they backed the loser.

For the White House, Orbán – a lodestar for right-wing populists – was seen as key to its push for a more nationalist, “like-minded” Europe. For the Kremlin, Orbán was the chief wrecker of the European Union’s efforts to arm Ukraine and wean itself off Russian fossil fuels.

But now, US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will have to make do without their ally in Budapest. Orbán’s Fidesz government suffered a thumping loss as voters flocked to Péter Magyar’s opposition Tisza party, with a record turnout. Magyar’s campaign railed against the corruption and cronyism that flourished during Orbán’s 16 years in office, calling for a break with Russia and warmer relations with the European Union.

“Our country has no time to lose,” Magyar told reporters in Budapest on Monday. “Hungary is in trouble. It’s been robbed, betrayed, devastated.”

If Magyar’s victory was a blow to Trump and Putin, it came as a huge relief to Europe. “I’m so happy. I think I’m happier than you,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on a Sunday night call with Magyar. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, vilified by Orbán’s campaign, congratulated Tisza and said Ukraine was “ready to advance our cooperation with Hungary.”