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"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in Berlin on Monday, after Peter Magyar's election victory in Hungary, that the European Union would now push for a united stance, including towards Russia. "Everything will become easier following Peter Magyar's election victory yesterday. We will now be able to reach joint decisions in the European Council. We will adopt a united stance within the European Union, including towards Russia," Merz said. "Regarding the issue of Hungary and Ukraine, yes, it will be easier now. I am personally very grateful and relieved that there was such a clear election result in Hungary yesterday," he added. Berlin has repeatedly pushed for tighter EU coordination on Russia, energy security and Ukraine, with the Kremlin describing the approach as 'confrontational policies' that prolong the conflict and destabilise Europe. With 98.89 per cent of votes counted, Magyar's Tisza movement secured 53.21 per cent, compared with 38 per cent for the ruling Fidesz party, according to preliminary results. Hungary’s National Assembly has 199 seats, with 106 elected in single-member districts and 93 allocated through national party lists. A minimum of 100 seats is required to form a government, while 133 seats would secure a two-thirds majority. Prime Minister Viktor Orban conceded defeat after early results showed Magyar in the lead. The campaign was overshadowed by allegations of election meddling. Orban's government accused the EU and Ukraine of repeated interference in an attempt to install a more pro-Brussels and pro-Kiev administration, following rows over energy and funding. Commenting on the failed negotiations between Iran and the US over the weekend, Merz said he anticipated the result and highlighted the conflict's consequences for the German economy. "I was not surprised by the decision to break off the talks in Islamabad. I did not have the impression from the beginning that they were really well prepared. And in this respect, it will be a longer process now," Merz said. We will continue to feel the consequences of this war for a long time, even after it is over,” he added. It comes after talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without agreement, casting doubt on a two-week ceasefire announced on April 8. Trump accused Iranian leaders of breaking commitments to keep the waterway open. "They lied," he said, adding that while the US had shown restraint, the blockade was a direct response. "I don’t care if they come back or not. If they don’t come back, I’m fine." This comes after US-Iran peace talks over the weekend. Following the talks, US Vice President JD Vance said the outcome was "bad news for Iran, much more than it's bad news for the United States." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said that "views were divergent on two or three important issues, and ultimately the discussions did not yield to an agreement," adding that 'an agreement was not expected in a single session.' The talks came after Tehran and the Washington agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire, with both sides claiming a 'victory.' Under the deal, Iran agreed in principle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the US and Israel paused strikes on Iranian territory."
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