Péter Magyar's Tisza party has achieved an extraordinary victory in Hungary, ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule and a system described as an "electoral autocracy." Preliminary election results, with over 98% of votes counted, indicate Magyar's party is on course to win 138 seats in the 199-seat parliament, while Orbán's Fidesz party secured 55 seats, and the far-right Our Homeland party obtained six.
"We did it," Péter Magyar told cheering supporters by the River Danube, overlooking Budapest's parliament. "Together we overthrew the Hungarian regime." This landslide victory is expected to enable Magyar to overturn Orbán's increasingly unpopular domestic policies and reset Hungary's global relationships.
Orbán, a close partner of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, had become a significant obstacle for the EU and Ukraine. In contrast, Magyar campaigned on a platform of distancing Hungary from Russia and fostering closer ties with the EU and Ukraine. For two years, Magyar traveled the country, rallying support against endemic cronyism and corruption.
"Never before in the history of democratic Hungary have so many people voted - and no single party has ever received such a strong mandate," Magyar stated, noting a record 79.5% voter turnout. Orbán's rule, built on four successive election victories, crumbled within minutes of the results emerging.
As Magyar's supporters gathered, he posted on Facebook: "Viktor Orbán just called me on the phone and congratulated us on our victory." Orbán later appeared before his glum Fidesz colleagues, admitting, "The result of the election is clear and painful," and thanking the 2.5 million voters who supported him. "The days ahead of us are for us to heal our wounds."
Magyar has pledged to reverse Orbán-era changes in education and health, combat corruption, restore judicial independence, and dismantle the patronage system known as NER, which has been criticized for enriching party loyalists and wasting state resources. To enact constitutional changes, a two-thirds majority of 133 seats was needed, a threshold Tisza is poised to exceed with 138 seats.
Supporters celebrated the change of regime with horns blaring and flags waving across Budapest. Many who backed Magyar had previously supported Orbán, now hoping for a better future. "He's someone you cannot be absolutely sure of," commented a lawyer named Ágnes, "but we're at a point where we need to hope for something better, which he promises - and we truly hope his promises come true."
Magyar also targeted pro-Orbán state media, such as the M1 TV channel, which had consistently followed the party line. M1, seemingly uncertain, rebroadcast a speech by Magyar given earlier in the evening, which had become outdated by the time of the broadcast as he had already won.
Hungary had appeared to be two different worlds: one where Orbán's supporters believed in victory, bolstered by sympathetic polls, and another where Magyar attracted large crowds, supported by more credible pollsters indicating a growing lead. Sunday night saw these two worlds collide, with reality prevailing.
Magyar addressed his supporters, likening the electoral victory to the 1848 Hungarian Revolution and the 1956 uprising against Soviet occupation. He contrasted Orbán's past anti-Soviet stance with his current partnership with Putin, noting Orbán's unpopularity in the EU due to his stance on Russian oil and his reneging on an EU agreement for a €90bn loan to Ukraine.
"Russians go home," chanted Magyar supporters as he promised better relations with the EU. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Moscow respects Hungary's choice and expects to continue pragmatic contacts, though he also noted that Russia considers Hungary an unfriendly country due to its support for sanctions against Russia.
Hungary under Orbán had often voiced opposition to EU sanctions packages, despite voting in favor of them. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó had admitted to sharing details of EU sanctions talks with Russian diplomats.
Orbán, 62, has not resigned as Fidesz party leader, and his future role remains uncertain. He will continue to lead Hungary in a caretaker capacity while the party recovers from its defeat. Additional reporting was provided by Rita Palfi in Budapest.
