PRESS RELEASE
Brussels
14 October 2019
The joint opposition candidate Gergely Karácsony has won Budapest's mayoral election with over 50 percent of the vote, defeating the Fidesz-backed incumbent, István Tarlós.
The opposition also will have a majority in the city council. And it has won 10 out of the 23 most populous cities of Hungary, an increase of 8 since the previous election.
Reacting to these results, the European Green Party co-chair Reinhard Bütikofer said:
“Change is coming to Budapest following a resounding victory for the opposition candidate Gergely Karacsony in the mayoral elections. We wish Mr. Karacsony every success in bringing about a just and sustainable vision in one of Europe’s most culturally significant capitals.
“Orbán’s attempt to snuff out the opposition by keeping a stranglehold on the media and restricting public debate has not worked as well as he hoped. A new generation of internationally-minded young people have rejected a repressive, authoritarian vision of the future and opted instead for progressive change.
“We hope this is the shape of things to come in Hungary and in the east as we sit on the cusp of a new decade. Opposition leaders must use this opportunity to push back against repressive measures and lay the groundwork for a brighter, more just, greener and openly European future ahead.”
END
Paul Nolan
E paul.nolan@europeangreens.eu
M +32 475 94 69 81
T +32 2 626 07 26
European Green Party
Rue Wiertz 31, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
www.europeangreens.eu
