Orban Returns to Brussels After Election Defeat

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will return to Brussels for the first time since his electoral defeat in April to attend a meeting of leaders from the Patriots for Europe group, which he helped establish.

Orban will join other figures from the alliance, including Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, at a summit on 17 June. Hungary will be represented at the European Council on 18 and 19 June by Prime Minister Peter Magyar, marking the country’s first participation in the gathering without Orban in nearly two decades.

The victory of Magyar’s Tisza party ended Orban’s 16 years in power. Magyar campaigned on promises to tackle corruption, improve relations with the European Union and reform Hungary’s political system.

Orban did not take a seat in the Hungarian parliament after the defeat. On 13 June, Fidesz delegates re-elected him as party chairman for another year, with 729 of 737 voting in his favor. He pledged to rebuild the party as an effective opposition force capable of returning to power.

During his time in office, Orban frequently clashed with Brussels, particularly over aid to Ukraine and his government’s close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He is also expected to hold a press conference during his visit to the Belgian capital.

(euronews, bak)