‘A truly historic moment’: BBC reports from Hungary as Viktor Orbán concedes election
‘A truly historic moment’: BBC reports from Hungary as Viktor Orbán concedes election
After 16 years of leadership, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán acknowledged his defeat in Hungary’s recent election, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. The opposition appears poised for a decisive victory, with Péter Magyar expected to take over as the next prime minister. A record voter turnout underscored the election’s importance, seen as a turning point for Hungary and its role in Europe.
The BBC’s Rajini Vaidyanathan reported from outside the parliament building, where crowds gathered to hear the news of Orbán’s loss. With over two-thirds of votes tallied, Magyar’s party is projected to secure a strong majority in the national assembly. Final results will be confirmed as counting continues through the day.
Global events and diverse stories
Meanwhile, in the Vatican, the US exhibition squad known as the Harlem Globetrotters greeted Pope Francis, demonstrating a basketball trick on his fingertip. In another unrelated tale, the mother of a 16-year-old girl who died in a scrambler incident described her experience as a “living nightmare.”
“Life has been a living nightmare since,” she said, reflecting on the tragedy.
Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit shared her regret over meeting late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, expressing a wish she had never connected with him. The royal family has faced recent controversies, including links between Mette-Marit and Epstein.
A commercial flight from Dubai landed in Dublin on Wednesday, marking the first arrival after a series of attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel. In Italy, the fire department released footage showing a wolf rescued from under a bridge. Onlookers in Germany watched as a cooling tower at the Frimmersdorf power plant collapsed.
Disasters and celebrations
Italy’s capital, Rome, introduced a €2 charge for visiting the Trevi Fountain, ending its free access policy. In a festive twist, a northern Italian town began its carnival with a traditional Battle of the Oranges. Thousands in Spain faced displacement due to floods caused by Storms Marta and Leonardo.
Residents in Kyiv, Ukraine, found solace in unexpected places despite power outages and harsh winter conditions. In the same country, over 1,000 people were evacuated from an island due to emergencies. Ms Pelicot described the horrors she witnessed as “inconceivable,” following her partner’s alleged crimes.
War and aftermath
Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines recounted the brutal conditions they endured in Russia. In Oslo, the BBC’s Paul Kirby covered the trial of Marius Borg Høiby, who denies rape and other serious charges. Russian editor Steve Rosenberg reported from the outskirts of Moscow, where Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev was injured in an ambush.
News of Nazar Daletskyi’s death reached his family in 2022, the first year of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The ongoing conflict also left millions without electricity, exacerbating the challenges of freezing temperatures. A separate investigation targets Jessica and Jacques Moretti for involuntary manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson through negligence.
Celebrations and tragedies
Amid global events, crowds gathered in Rome for the funeral of legendary fashion designer Valentino, who passed away at 93. The day also saw a dramatic rescue in Italy and emotional accounts from survivors of the war-torn regions.
