Kast’s ‘Beacon’ Dimmed: Celebrations Erupt in Hungary After Orbán’s Electoral Defeat

Original article: Se apagó el “faro” de Kast: masivos festejos en Hungría tras la caída de Orbán The electoral defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, viewed as a ‘beacon’ and political reference for José Antonio Kast, has ignited massive celebrations in the streets of Budapest and throughout the country. Orbán’s fall from power in the legislative elections held yesterday marked the end of a 16-year rule characterized by a two-thirds majority that facilitated a new Constitution and a series of reforms undermining the separation of powers, press freedom, and democracy, thus reinforcing executive control over key institutions. In the parliamentary elections, which saw a record turnout of 80% with over 7 million citizens casting their votes, opposition candidate Peter Magyar defeated Orbán.

His party, Tisza, secured 138 seats, surpassing the qualified majority of two-thirds (133), while Orbán’s Fidesz party obtained only 55 seats. According to reports from news agencies and international media outlets like Al Jazeera and Euronews, Budapest and the rest of Hungary transformed into a scene of partying until early Monday morning, with people dancing outside bars and cars honking their horns, as Tisza party supporters flooded the streets to celebrate their resounding victory and the restoration of democracy, which had been eroded by Orbán’s regime since 2010. “The iconic Chain Bridge in Budapest was illuminated with Hungary’s national colors, and along the banks of the Danube River, tens of thousands celebrated, waving national and European Union flags, while some toasted with champagne in paper cups,” reported Reuters.

“Crowds spilled out in front of bars as people waved national flags, blocking cars, while hundreds strolled across the bridges over the Danube after midnight,” it emphasized. Indeed, videos shared on social media show the crowd carrying torches and singing songs like ‘We Are the Champions’ by the rock band Queen outside the Parliament building. The emblematic Heroes’ Square in the Hungarian capital was filled with a tide of thousands, mostly young people, celebrating the end of Orbán’s 16-year rule.

Chants were also heard in the metro stations as citizens loud and clear expressed “it’s over. ” “I feel incredible! Truly incredible!

I never thought this would actually happen. I’ve been praying for this for 16 years, so I’m super happy,” said Szilvia, who supported Tisza with her vote. “It’s a great celebration.

I am very happy. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. And I hope the new leadership, the new prime minister, will truly be a prime minister for all Hungarians, as he said,” declared Sandor Zoletnik, a supporter of the party founded in 2021 that has emerged as the main opposition force against Viktor Orbán.

“Incredible! I can’t describe it! ” “We are so happy that Orbán is finally gone.

” “We didn’t think this would change,” said a group of young people who embraced, jumped, and shouted after the election results. “So, finally, after at least 16 years, we feel there is hope. We feel there is hope that Hungary can start walking in the right direction,” one of them stated.

Kast’s ‘Fire’ Died with Orbán’s Defeat The electoral defeat of Viktor Orbán represents a significant setback for José Antonio Kast’s international strategy, as it involves his European reference. In early February, as part of his European tour as an elected president, the leader traveled to Budapest to meet Orbán and strengthen ties. During that visit, he referred to the controversial border model implemented by the premier— which includes barbed wire to prevent irregular foreign entry— as a “useful example,” asserting that it “helped Hungary to enjoy a better economic and social situation than the rest of Europe.

” After their meeting, Orbán stated that it was a “pleasure” to be the first European leader to welcome Kast. Prior to the elections, Kast reaffirmed his support for the far-right leader, wishing him “every success. ” “(We sincerely hope that Prime Minister Viktor triumphs again in the April elections because he has set an example and been a beacon for all of Europe in terms of illegal immigration and pro-family policies that we will also replicate in Chile thanks to the example we’ve received from his government,” he stated, as recorded in a video that has recently been shared by users on social media platform X.