Ukrainian leader hopes for ‘pragmatic’ and ‘friendly’ relations with new government in contrast with hostility of previous pro-Russian regime

in Berlin

At his press conference with Zelenskyy, Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz also welcomed Péter Magyar’s decisive victory, saying it would have “implications for our support for Ukraine”.

“More Hungarians than ever before cast their votes. By an overwhelming majority, they voted not only to oust a government, but to oust an entire system.”

“Volodymyr Zelenskyy and I also discussed this. The funds for military support must now be disbursed quickly. Ukraine needs them urgently.”

Péter Magyar has promised to repair Hungary’s ties with Brussels after years of strained relations

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Péter Magyar’s resounding election victory brings an end to 16 years of rightwing populist rule under Viktor Orbán. But the effects of that win are likely to be felt well beyond Hungary’s borders, from Brussels to Moscow and from Kyiv to Washington.

The Tisza leader said the electorate voted ‘not just for a change of government but for a change of the regime’

in Brussels

The EU will start work with the new Hungarian government “as soon as possible” to make progress on issues including energy and the release of frozen European funds, the head of the European Commission has said.

“We will start working with the government as soon as possible on the topics you mentioned and much more to make a swift and overdue progress to the benefit of the Hungarian people.”

“I think moving to qualified-majority voting in foreign policy is an important way to avoid systematic blockages as we’ve seen in the past. And we should use the momentum now really to move forward on that topic.”

This live blog is now closed. You can read more about election night here

Europe correspondent

Not a regular observer of Hungarian politics? We’ve got you.

Opposition candidate Péter Magyar holds rally outside Budapest ahead of Sunday election

Ashifa Kassam and Flora Garamvolgyi in Budapest

As a child growing up in Budapest, Péter Magyar had a poster of Viktor Orbán – at the time a leading figure in the country’s pro-democracy movement – hanging above his bed.