The opposition party “Tisza,” led by Péter Magyar, has secured a decisive victory in Hungary’s parliamentary elections. With 98.9% of ballots counted, the party has won 53.07% of the vote and 138 out of 199 seats in parliament. This gives it a constitutional majority and the power to amend the country’s fundamental law. The ruling “Fidesz” party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán received 38.43% of the vote and 55 seats. Six additional seats went to the far-right “Our Homeland” party (5.83%). Two parties failed to cross the 5% threshold. Voter turnout reached a record 79.5%, the highest in the country’s history, effectively turning the election into a referendum on Hungary’s political future.
Orbán conceded defeat just three hours after the polls closed. Speaking in Budapest, he described the results as “painful but unequivocal” and congratulated the winner. “We will continue to serve the Hungarian people and our homeland from the opposition,” he said.
Addressing supporters on April 13, Magyar declared that “tonight, truth has prevailed over lies.” According to him, Hungarians chose change and responsibility. He emphasized that the country had “said yes to Europe.”
European leaders reacted almost immediately. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Hungary is “restoring its European path.” Magyar’s victory was also welcomed by Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, and Keir Starmer, who called the outcome “a historic moment for European democracy.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote in Hungarian: “Russians, go home.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyalso congratulated Magyar and expressed readiness to cooperate with Hungary’s new leadership.
Against this backdrop, the external support for Orbán appears particularly notable. Donald Trump had publicly backed him, promising “prosperity” for Hungary if he were re-elected. On the eve of the vote, U.S. Vice President JD Vancetraveled to Budapest to support the incumbent. Orbán is also widely regarded as one of the closest European partners of Vladimir Putin. According to media reports, Moscow may have provided informational support to his campaign, although this has been officially denied.
Magyar previously stated that he would be prepared to negotiate with Russia if necessary, given geography and the country’s energy dependence, but stressed that “this would not make us friends.” He also noted that Hungarian society does not want a “pro-Ukrainian” or “pro-Russian” government, but rather a “pro-Hungarian” one.
At the time of publication, neither Moscow nor Washington had officially commented on the election results.
