Hungary's opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, has won a decisive victory in Sunday's parliamentary election, ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule. With 98.74% of votes counted, Tisza is projected to win 138 of 199 seats, securing a super-majority capable of amending the constitution. Orbán conceded defeat within three hours of polls closing, calling the result 'painful but unambiguous'.
Magyar, 45, pledged to repair Hungary's strained ties with the EU, crack down on corruption, and invest in public services. 'Tonight, truth prevailed over lies,' he told jubilant supporters in Budapest. His victory is expected to unlock EU funds frozen over rule-of-law concerns and reverse some Fidesz-era changes. The far-right Mi Hazánk party won six seats, while Fidesz took 55.
The election was closely watched internationally as a test of the global far-right movement, with Orbán endorsed by figures including Donald Trump, JD Vance, Marine Le Pen, and Benjamin Netanyahu. US Democrat Hakeem Jeffries said the result 'does not bode well for the Trump administration'. EU leaders celebrated the outcome, with Ursula von der Leyen declaring: 'A country reclaims its European path.'
Keir Starmer called it a 'historic moment for European democracy', while Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz also congratulated Magyar. From Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed readiness to advance cooperation. Magyar has indicated he will continue Orbán's opposition to further EU sanctions on Russia and a €90bn loan for Ukraine, but tensions with Brussels are expected to ease.
