BBC: Orbán Convinced Vučić Not To Use Force To Retain Power In Serbia

• 1.11.2026, 20:40

The former president of Serbia called the former prime minister of Hungary twice to ask for advice.

Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić denied that he had spoken with former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán before conceding defeat in the October 25 parliamentary elections. However, he confirmed a later conversation with the Hungarian politician. This was reported by BBC, which received a response from Vučić.

According to the BBC, “speculation arose” this week that on the night after the vote, Vučić called Orbán twice for advice—once before conceding defeat and once afterward—after 11:00 p.m. According to the report, the former Hungarian prime minister convinced Vučić “not to use force” to hold on to power. Orbán himself declined to comment when contacted by the BBC.

Vučić conceded defeat on election day, without waiting for the final results. The BBC notes that Orbán announced his defeat in the Hungarian elections in the same manner, without waiting for the vote count to be completed. In both cases, opposition movements emerged victorious—Péter Magyar’s Tisza “Tisa” in Hungary and the “Student List” in Serbia.

The day before, on October 31, Orbán and Vučić met in Serbia and recorded a joint statement. “And yes, we both recently lost elections, but we have not lost our dignity, our pride, or our faith,” Vucic said in the statement. Orban, in turn, assured the former Serbian president of his support.