Europe celebrates as Orbán's stunning defeat deals a blow to Putin and Trump

Leaders across Europe hailed the end of Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule in Hungary and victory of Peter Magyar's center-right Tisza Party as a blow to Russia's Vladimir Putin

LONDON — “Europe! Europe!” was the chant ringing out from the banks of the Danube after an election upset that was celebrated across the continent Monday as a stunning defeat for those threatening its security.

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Presidents, prime ministers and European Union officials hailed the end of Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule in Hungary as a return to unity and shared values in the European Union, the 27-nation bloc that he criticized and sought to undermine.

Orbán, a close ally of Russia's Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump, is viewed as a trailblazer for the global hard right. He conceded defeat Sunday night in what turned out to be a sweeping victory for challenger Peter Magyar and the center-right Tisza Party, which successfully united the country's opposition behind a vow to restore ties with Europe.