Viktor Orbán reacts for the first time to election defeat in Hungary
Photo: Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary (Getty Images)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has commented on his party’s defeat in the parliamentary elections for the first time. He feels "pain and emptiness" and uses work as "therapy," he said in an interview with Patrióta.
The outlet noted that the Hungarian Prime Minister spoke in a "somber tone" during the interview and described how the election results affected him personally.
According to Orbán, he had been confident that Fidesz would win, so he now feels "pain and emptiness." He added that he uses work as therapy and keeps himself busy to cope with the stress of the loss.
Orbán’s political future
The Hungarian politician stressed that he takes full responsibility for the election outcome. He acknowledged that Fidesz failed to find an effective way to communicate with voters.
"I am the leader of the party, and I take 100% responsibility for the result. I must admit that my opponent’s message was stronger," he said.
Despite the election results, Orbán assured that he will not step down as party leader. Instead, he announced a "full reboot" of Fidesz — the party’s future strategy and personnel changes will be discussed at a party congress scheduled for April 28.
"If my colleagues tell me to 'sit on the substitutes' bench,' I will do so. But if they tell me to 'bring the team onto the field' as captain, I will be there," the Hungarian politician emphasized.
On April 12, the Tisza party led by Péter Magyar defeated Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party in Hungary’s parliamentary elections. After 98.9% of ballots were counted, it received 53.07% of the vote and won 138 out of 199 seats in parliament.
Later, Orbán acknowledged the defeat and said his coalition was supported by 2.25 million voters — exactly the same number as in 2014, when the party won. This time, however, it was only enough to "lose fairly."
