Terry Schultz
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The man likely to be Hungary's next prime minister, Peter Magyar, has pledged to improve ties with the European Union after years in which outgoing leader Viktor Orban vetoed aid to Ukraine and forced the bloc to soften penalties on Moscow for its full-scale invasion.
Zsuzsanna Wege of the German Marshall Fund think tank says reversing this should be one of Magyar's top priorities.
Because Magyar's Tisza party won more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats in Sunday's vote, he will have the political weight to push through real change.
For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Brussels.
That's how European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded on social media to news Prime Minister Orban has lost power after 16 years.
She added the union grows stronger with Peter Magyar's win.
Von der Leyen posted just 17 minutes after Orban conceded defeat, evidence of just how closely European leaders were watching this vote.
Orban has blocked many EU initiatives and is currently holding up a major loan to Ukraine and the next package of sanctions against Russia.
Magyar pledges to renew Hungary's relationship with the EU.
European Council President Antonio Costa noted the record turnout, saying he looks forward to working closely with Peter Magyar to make Europe stronger and more prosperous.
For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Brussels.
Viktor Orban is a prominent leader in far-right politics worldwide.
He's repeatedly vetoed the European Union's efforts to provide support for Ukraine, and he's blocked sanctions on Moscow for its full-scale invasion.
Last week, Vice President J.D.
Vance flew to Hungary to show White House support for Orban.
For the first time, a challenger is ahead in the polls.
Peter Magyar used to be a member of Orban's Fidesz party and now leads his own.
Magyar says he'll work to improve relations with the EU and cut off close ties with the Kremlin.
Magyar urges voters to give him a commanding win, saying his party, TISA, will need at least two-thirds of the 199-seat parliament to be able to carry out decisive changes.