Sir Keir Starmer has hailed the defeat of Viktor Orban in Hungary’s recent election as a "historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy".
Hungarian voters on Sunday brought an end to Mr Orban’s 16-year tenure as prime minister, handing power to the opposition Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar.
Mr Orban, a known ally of Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin, has frequently been a source of contention within the European Union.
Prime Minister Sir Keir shared his congratulations on X, stating: "Congratulations @MagyarPeterMP on your election victory. This is an historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy. I look forward to working with you for the security and prosperity of both our countries."
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also took to X, remarking: "Trump, Putin, Farage… your boy took a hell of a beating. Congratulations to the people of Hungary for showing that populist extremists can be defeated – even despite Donald Trump’s best efforts."
Sir Ed further criticised US vice-president JD Vance’s involvement in the campaign, following his endorsement of Mr Orban during a visit to Budapest earlier this month.
He added: "Has anyone noticed that wherever JD Vance goes, he just makes a mess. In Munich he insulted European allies. In Greenland he turned everyone against Trump. And now he’s helped Viktor Orban lose re-election. Maybe better to spend more time on the couch @VP?"
Other MPs reacting to Mr Orban’s removal on social media included Labour’s David Taylor, who said "good riddance", Neil Coyle, who declared "great news!", and the SNP’s deputy Westminster leader Pete Wishart, who wrote: "Fantastic. Maybe there’s a sense that the far right are in retreat across Europe."
Liam Byrne, the Labour chairman of the Commons Business and Trade Committee, commented that the outcome "matters far beyond Budapest" and "should give progressives heart everywhere".
Writing on Substack, Mr Byrne stated: "Viktor Orban, the unshriven leader of Fidesz, built a template for how a democratically elected leader can hollow out democracy from within. But if the authoritarian populist playbook model can be beaten in Hungary, it can be beaten anywhere."
