Viktor Orbán announced his resignation from Hungary’s parliament on Saturday, April 25th, citing a need to focus on reorganizing his Fidesz party following recent electoral losses.
Orbán Announces Resignation and Party Restructuring
Viktor Orbán announced his decision to resign in a Facebook video on Saturday, April 25th. He stated his intention to concentrate on reorganizing his political camp, believing his efforts are more needed in that area than in parliament.
The Fidesz parliamentary group will be led by Gergely Gulyás, the outgoing chief of staff to the prime minister. This follows a Fidesz board meeting where a “radical restructuring” of the party’s parliamentary representation was decided.
Coalition Partner Also Resigns Seat
Zsolt Semjen, the deputy prime minister and leader of the coalition partner KDNP, also resigned his parliamentary mandate. He proposed resigning as party chairman, but the party’s presidium did not accept his resignation.
Magyar Accuses Orbán of Evading Accountability
Péter Magyar, the newly elected prime minister, accused Orbán of attempting to avoid responsibility for the electoral defeat.
Orbán’s Potential Departure to the United States
According to Hungarian journalist Szabolcs Panyi, Orbán may travel to the United States to avoid potential prosecution. He plans to attend the football World Cup and consult with figures associated with Donald Trump, the American far-right, and organizations like the Heritage Foundation and CPAC, seeking support for Fidesz.
Orbán Reflects on Electoral Defeat and Future of the Right
Orbán stated, “We are in a situation where the right-wing community can no longer exist in its previous form. A complete renewal is necessary.” He acknowledged the “scale of the defeat,” describing initial reactions as “pain” followed by “emptiness.”
Despite the loss, Orbán emphasized continued support for his party, noting that nearly 2.4 million people voted for Fidesz in a country of approximately 9.5 million residents. He asserted, “Let’s not pretend that the whole country rejected our government.”
Appeals for Presidential Resignation and Orbán’s Response
Péter Magyar appealed for the resignation of Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok. Orbán criticized Magyar’s appeal, stating that it will be possible to assess whether voters who supported Magyar made the right decision in due course, and affirming he would “never root against our own country.”
President Sulyok stated he would consider the arguments regarding his resignation, as he also values adherence to the rule of law. The Hungarian president is elected by parliament, with Sulyok having been chosen by the Fidesz-KDNP coalition in 2024.