Viktor Orban admits defeat in phone call to rival as 16-year hold on power crumbles in landslide Hungarian election

Oliver Trapnell
Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:30:19 +0000

Viktor Orban has admitted defeat in Hungary's parliamentary election in a phone call with his rival Peter Magyar.

The incumbent Hungarian Prime Minister congratulated the leader of the centre-right Tisza party on his election victory, Mr Magyar revealed in a Facebook post on Sunday after early results showed his party on course for a parliamentary supermajority.

Preliminary results with 53.45 per cent of votes counted projected Magyar's Tisza party winning 136 seats in Hungary's 199-member parliament compared with 56 seats for Orban's Fidesz.

Mr Orban said the result was "clear" and is "painful for us".

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Reacting further to the exit poll results, the Hungarian Prime Minister vowed to "serve our nation from Opposition".

He added his task was to now "strengthen our communities" before declaring he will "never give up".

Pollsters predicted a record voter turnout, with Hungarian television showing long queues outside some voting stations in Budapest.

Half an hour before polls were due to close, data showed 77.8 per cent of voters casting their ballots, up from 67.8 per cent four years earlier.

If the final results confirm the early readings, an end to Mr Orban's period in government after 16 years in power would have significant implications not only for Hungary, but for the European Union, Ukraine and beyond.

Shortly after Mr Magyar's announcement, French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated him on the victory.

"I just held a meeting with Peter Magyar to congratulate him on his victory in Hungary!" Mr Macron wrote on X.

"France salutes a victory of democratic participation, of the Hungarian people's attachment to the values of the European Union, and for Hungary in Europe.

"Together, let us advance a more sovereign Europe, for the security of our continent, our competitiveness, and our democracy."

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President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen added: "Europe's heart is beating stronger in Hungary tonight."

The top EU leader, who has been at loggerheads with Mr Orban over support for Ukraine, added: "Hungary has chosen Europe.

"Europe has always chosen Hungary. A country reclaims its European path. The Union grows stronger.

"Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. Together we are stronger.

"A country returns to its European path. The Union becomes stronger."

Critics have suggested Mr Orban sought to cast Sunday's election as a choice between "war and peace".

During his campaign, the Hungarian Prime Minister blanketed the country with signs warning that Magyar would drag Hungary into Russia's war with Ukraine, something he strongly denies.

Adding his voice, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on X: "The Hungarian people have decided.

"My heartfelt congratulations on your electoral success, dear Peter Magyar. I am looking forward to working with you. Let’s join forces for a strong, secure and, above all, united Europe. Gratulálok, kedves Magyar Péter!"

Nearly an hour after his German counterpart, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added his congratulations to Mr Magyar.

He wrote on X: "Congratulations @MagyarPeterMP on your election victory.

"This is an historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy.

"I look forward to working with you for the security and prosperity of both our countries."