Viktor Orban Resigns from Parliament Following Election Defeat

The outgoing Hungarian leader announced he will step down as an MP to focus on reforming his Fidesz party, which recently lost its grip on power after 16 years. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stands to deliver his opening speech prior to the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments at the parliament in Budapest on May 12, 2025. (Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced on Saturday, April 25, that he is resigning his seat in parliament following his party’s recent electoral defeat. In a video message posted to social media, Orban stated that he would not take up his mandate in the new legislative session, as he is currently needed to “reform the national camp” rather than serve in the opposition benches. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . While stepping back from parliament, Orban expressed his readiness to remain at the helm of the Fidesz party, which he has led since 1993, provided he receives the support of the party congress in June. Gergely Gulyas, the former head of the Prime Minister’s Office, has been tapped to lead the restructured parliamentary faction. Orban’s departure marks the end of a 16-year era of governance that began in 2010. His defeat has already triggered significant shifts in regional dynamics, particularly regarding the long-stalled €90-billion EU loan for Ukraine .  For months, Orban used Hungary’s veto to block the financial package and new sanctions against Russia, often using oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline as leverage. With Orban’s successor, Peter Magyar, set to take office in May, there are widespread expectations of a swifter resolution to the deadlock in Brussels. Earlier this week, oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline resumed after repair work was completed on a damaged section in Ukraine, prompting Slovakia to drop its own objections to the funding. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Restarts Druzhba Oil Flow as EU Pushes to Unblock €90B Ukraine Loan Amid Hungary Standoff Ukraine hopes the move will unblock the last hurdle to securing a multi-billion-euro EU loan that has been held up by Hungary’s outgoing nationalist leader Viktor Orban. As the political landscape in Budapest shifts, international observers are closely watching whether Orban’s focus on party reform will lead to a new brand of nationalist opposition or a more collaborative approach to European integration under the incoming administration. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.