Former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has said that the Hungary poll outcome is “positive for NATO”
By TRH World Desk
New Delhi, April 16, 2026 — Facing Trumpian disruptions, Europe and the NATO have got a morale booster from the election outcome in Hungary. Former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has said that the Hungary poll outcome is “positive for the transatlantic alliance.”
Peter Magyar gave a crushing defeat to Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Magyar promised integration of Hungary with the ideals of the EU. In contrast, Orbán per commentators exploited the veto power of Hungary in the EU to further the interests of Russia and the US.
Stoltenberg told CBS in an interview that “both the democratic process and its implications for transatlantic cooperation are positive.” The vote demonstrated Hungary’s democratic resilience, he added. He specially spotlighted the smooth transition of power in Hungary. Observers had earlier wondered if Orbán would concede defeat after the election rout.
“Hungary is a democratic country… they changed government through elections,” noted Stoltenberg, while crediting Orbán for conceding defeat. He said that it was “a crucial element of democratic continuity.”
Stressing on “political stability”, the former chief of the NATO said that the development augurs well. The NATO has got a boost with the outcome of the Hungary elections at a time when US President Donald Trump has stated that he might consider relations with the NATO. The post-war transatlantic alliance is known to be heavily dependent on the US.
Trump and his deputy JD Vance have in the last one year hit out at the NATO on multiple occasions. Trump is also pressuring NATO member nations to raise their defence budgets to five percent.
Stoltenberg suggested the incoming leadership would likely adopt a more cooperative stance. “As far as we know, the new Prime Minister will be more positive to cooperation between countries both within the EU… but also within the NATO framework,” he told the CBS News in the interview.
With Trump now stuck in the Middle east conflict, Europe is growing worried of the US losing interest in supporting Ukraine in the ongoing war with Russia. The EU member nations have vowed to shore up their defence capabilities amid shifting priorities of the US.
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