European Commission Chief Urged To 'use The Momentum' After Orbán's Defeat

And give up the right of veto in EU foreign policy matters.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after the crushing defeat of Hungary's pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in parliamentary elections, called on EU countries to give up their veto power in foreign policy decisions. She said EU decisions, including sanctions against Russia and funding for Ukraine, should be made by qualified majority, not blocked by individual countries.

"Moving to qualified majority voting in the area of foreign policy is an important way to avoid systemic obstacles, as we have seen in the past," von der Leyen said (her words are quoted by Politico). She urged national governments that have to agree on changes to "use this momentum now."

Fon der Leyen welcomed the results of the Hungarian elections, saying the EU had become stronger and more united. "The people of Hungary have spoken out and regained the right to fulfill their European task. This is a victory for fundamental freedoms," the EC chief said, adding that Hungary is "returning to Europe."

At the same time, any changes to the voting procedure will cause serious controversy, as many countries may not want to lose control over foreign policy, Politico noted.

In Sunday's election, held with record turnout, the right-liberal opposition Tisa party led by Peter Magyar won a convincing victory, winning 138 of 199 seats in parliament. The ruling coalition of Fidesz and the Christian Democratic People's Party won only 56 seats (up from 135 in the previous convocation).

Orban, who has been in power for 16 years, is a close ally of Vladimir Putin. The Hungarian prime minister has repeatedly blocked the allocation of aid to Ukraine and the adoption of sanctions against Russia, in parallel spreading Kremlin narratives. A few weeks before the election, the media published phone records showing that Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó regularly informed Sergey Lavrov about meetings of EU foreign ministers. Orbán himself swore friendship and compared himself to a "mouse" and Putin to a "lion" in a conversation with Putin.

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