Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced he would be leaving Parliament following his election loss to Peter Magyar.
In a video address, Orban said he would better serve the country by leading a “reorganization of the national movement” and that he needed to leave parliament to do so. He has served in Parliament uninterrupted since 1990. This move ends his 36-year streak in elected office.
“For nearly four decades, I have led our community. During that time, we have gone through successes and failures, victories and defeats in elections. But one thing has remained unchanged: this camp has always been the most cohesive and united political community in Hungary, and this unity is now very much needed by Hungary,” he told his supporters.
“The presidium proposes that I continue my work as the head of Fidesz, and if the Congress honors me with its trust, I am willing to take on the role,” Orban added.
Fidesz will hold a nationwide meeting next week and hold an election in June.
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Orban led Hungary for 16 years, during which he turned the country into a conservative bulwark in the usually left-leaning Europe. He finally met his match in the younger, charismatic Magyar, who publicly resigned from Fidesz over a corruption scandal. The incoming prime minister ran on many of Orban’s same positions, even outflanking him on the right on issues such as immigration.
Orban’s defeat strips the Trump administration of its most reliable conservative ally in Europe. Vice President JD Vance had traveled to Hungary ahead of the election to try to garner support for Fidesz, to no avail.