Hungary’s opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, has won a historic election, ending 16 years of rule by Viktor Orbán and his party Fidesz, in a result expected to reshape Hungary’s relationship with the European Union.
Orbán conceded defeat less than three hours after polls closed, describing the outcome as a “painful but unambiguous” election result.
“I congratulated the victorious party,” the rightwing populist told supporters in Budapest. “We are going to serve the Hungarian nation and our homeland from opposition as well.”
With 98.74% of votes counted, Tisza was projected to win 138 of 199 parliamentary seats, securing a super-majority capable of constitutional change. Fidesz won 55 seats, while the far-right Mi Hazánk secured six.
Magyar, who campaigned on anti-corruption reforms and restoring ties with the EU, told jubilant supporters, “My fellow Hungarians, we have done it!”
“Tonight, truth prevailed over lies,”
“You found the answer. And you followed through.”
The election drew global attention, with reactions from US figures including Donald Trump and JD Vance, as well as Hakeem Jeffries, and European leaders such as Ursula von der Leyen, Donald Tusk, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the outcome, saying Hungary was “reclaiming its European path,” while Orbán said, “We are going to serve the Hungarian nation and our homeland from opposition as well.”
The result was widely seen as a turning point in Hungary’s politics, with Tisza securing a strong mandate amid high voter turnout and strong youth participation.
Analysts, however, warned that years of Fidesz control over the media, judiciary, and state institutions could make reforms challenging, even with a super-majority.
