BUDAPEST, Hungary — Péter Magyar has secured a historic election victory, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power in a result that is set to reshape Hungary’s domestic politics and its strained relationship with the European Union.
Official results released late Sunday showed Magyar’s opposition Tisza party winning 138 out of 199 parliamentary seats, handing it a commanding supermajority capable of amending the constitution and reversing key policies enacted under Orbán’s long rule.
Conceding defeat just hours after polls closed, Orbán described the outcome as “painful but unambiguous.”
“I congratulated the victorious party,” he told supporters in Budapest. “We are going to serve the Hungarian nation and our homeland from opposition as well.”
The landslide marks a dramatic political shift in Hungary, where Orbán and his Fidesz party had dominated the political landscape since 2010, reshaping institutions, the judiciary, and media in what critics described as an “illiberal” model of governance.
Magyar, 45, addressed jubilant supporters along the banks of the Danube, declaring the result a turning point in the country’s history.
“My fellow Hungarians, we have done it! Tonight, truth prevailed over lies,” he said. “We won because Hungarians chose to act for their homeland.”
The election, which saw a record turnout of nearly 80 per cent, was widely viewed as a referendum on Orbán’s leadership and a broader test of right-wing populism in Europe. Youth voters played a decisive role, with polls suggesting a strong anti-Orbán sentiment among those under 30.
International reactions were swift. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the result, saying, “Europe’s heart is beating stronger in Hungary tonight.”
France’s President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also congratulated Magyar, describing the outcome as a boost for European democracy.
The result is expected to recalibrate Hungary’s relationship with Brussels after years of tensions over rule-of-law concerns, corruption allegations, and Budapest’s opposition to EU sanctions on Russia and financial support for Ukraine.
Magyar has pledged to restore ties with the EU, unlock frozen funds, and tackle corruption while investing in public services. However, he has maintained some continuity with Orbán’s policies, including opposition to sending arms to Ukraine.
The election outcome also carries global political implications. Orbán had been a prominent ally of Donald Trump and a figure admired by right-wing movements across Europe and the United States. In the lead-up to the vote, US Vice President JD Vance visited Budapest, signalling Washington’s interest in the race.
Analysts say dismantling Orbán’s legacy will be complex despite the supermajority. Over the past decade and a half, Fidesz entrenched loyalists across state institutions, media, and the judiciary, creating structural challenges for any incoming administration.
“The path ahead is complicated,” said political analyst Dalibor Rohac. “Fidesz’s influence runs deep across the state and economy.”
Still, the scale of the victory signals a clear rejection of Orbán’s governance model. Observers say it could serve as a warning to populist leaders elsewhere in Europe.
For many Hungarians celebrating in Budapest, the result represents renewed hope after years of political consolidation.
“The dictatorship… will disappear now, and we have a chance for a better country,” said one young voter.
