Serbian and Hungarian leaders meet after election losses

Following recent general election defeats in their respective countries, Serbian leader Aleksandar Vucic and former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met near Belgrade to express mutual support. Vucic, who led the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) for 12 years, lost the recent election to a student-led movement known as the Student List. Orban previously lost power in Hungary to Peter Magyar’s Tisza party.

In a shared video, the two leaders emphasized that their friendship remains intact despite their political setbacks, with Vucic stating they had not lost their honor or faith. Orban reaffirmed his support for Vucic, noting that true friends grow closer during difficult times. The meeting concluded with a message of intent to return to power.

In Serbia, the political transition has been accompanied by significant shifts in public media. Following the election, public broadcasters RTV and RTS issued apologies to the public. News anchors admitted to concealing truths, providing one-sided information, and failing to ask critical questions. These apologies were followed by the resignations of top executives at both broadcasting institutions, mirroring similar developments seen in Hungary after the Fidesz party's defeat.