Vula Tsetsi, Co-Chair of the European Green Party, said:
‘Despite heavy meddling from Trump and Putin, smear campaigns and propaganda, the Hungarians have had their say, they have made it clear they want the future of their country to be firmly embedded in democracy and in Europe. We hope that we will now see Hungary back on the path of respecting the rule of law, media freedom and fundamental rights. The end of Viktor Orbán’s rule, within weeks of the rejection of Meloni’s (Brothers of Italy, ECR) referendum, and the success of a pro-European candidate over right-wing populist Janša in Slovenia confirms a shift: people across Europe are rejecting authoritarianism and re-stating their pro-European attachment. As Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony has said, any political change that brings Hungary closer to Europe has always started in Budapest.’
Ciarán Cuffe, Co-Chair of the European Green Party added: ‘While this result brings hope, it also demands vigilance. This is a historic result for Hungary, but also for Europe and especially Ukraine which should receive funds blocked by Orbán’s Government. Under Orbán, Hungary has suffered years of democratic backsliding, and as a result its civil society and media are fragile. Restoring media freedom, the independent judiciary and civil service, must now be the priority. Europe must support Hungary on this trajectory, while closely monitoring the new government.
‘The European Union also has a responsibility to actively support this democratic transition, and to ensure that its rule of law tools are fully applied when democratic standards are at risk. The European Green Party member party Párbeszéd - A Zöldek Pártja, did not participate in these elections in order to increase the chances of a change of government. Greens remain engaged in Hungary through local leadership, including Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony. We will closely monitor developments to ensure that democratic standards, media freedom and the rule of law are upheld in Hungary.’
