Orban Admits Election Rout, Warns of "Era of Arbitrariness"

Viktor Orban, Hungary's outgoing prime minister after 16 years in power, has conceded a heavy electoral defeat for his Fidesz party, describing it as "an earthquake-like defeat". Writing to members of the Digital Citizens' Circle, he said the party had never worked so hard and thanked supporters for their perseverance.

Orban acknowledged that Fidesz would need to reorganize following the "painful defeat". He predicted that a new political space was forming that would shape the next government, expecting it to take the form of a "grand coalition with a liberal face". He said the party's main task would be to "protect the gains of the national era", while acknowledging its weakened position and limited ability to recover from opposition.

He suggested that the impetus for renewal would come from smaller civic groups rather than from within the party itself, saying digital civic circles could play a key role in reorganizing the political landscape.

Orban also contrasted the two sides' election campaigns, noting that the opposition had promised to improve living standards while Fidesz had appealed for stability in a time of "dangers".

Looking ahead, he warned of an "era of arbitrariness". "The initial signs are already visible. Attacks on the president of the republic and other public officials may abolish constitutional guarantees. They will kowtow to Brussels, support the war and the migration pact. They want to abolish protected energy prices", he said.

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