Poland's prime minister enjoys the loss of Orban: We are not doomed to have authoritarian governments

The elections in Hungary show that Europe is not on an inevitable path towards authoritarian rule, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Monday, as the centre-right party Tisza ended Victor Orban's 16-year control of power, Reuters writes.

“Everyone feared there was a tendency towards authoritarian and corrupt regimes”, Tusk said during an official visit to South Korea, according to the state Polish news agency PAP.

It's not like that. First Varshava, then Bucharest, Chisinau, now Budapest”.

In 2025, centrist Nicusor Dan won the presidential election in Romania, while Moldova's ruling pro-European party won a convincing victory over its rival associated with Russia.

Tusk has repeatedly criticised the Orban government for its close ties with Moscow.

I am pleased that this part of Europe is showing that we are not doomed to have corrupt and authoritarian governments, because this is what Viktor Orban's government unfortunately turned into after many years in power”.

Neighbors Poland and Hungary are linked by their long shared history, close trade ties and co-operation within the European Union and NATO.

Tusk said he talked to Tisza leader Peter Magyar to congratulate him for victory.

“We briefly discussed his visit to Warsaw”, said Tusk.

“As you know, he had long ago chosen Warsaw as his first visit for very visible reasons. I think our relationship will be absolutely extraordinary”.