Viktor Orban will step down as Hungary’s Prime Minister after suffering an electoral defeat that ends his 16-year hold on power, with the opposition Tisza Party projected to claim a commanding parliamentary majority.
Election officials reported Sunday evening that with approximately half the ballots tallied, Tisza was on track to capture 135 seats out of 199 in Hungary’s parliament, while Orban’s Fidesz party appeared headed for just 57 seats according to current vote counts.
Speaking from Fidesz headquarters, Orban acknowledged the outcome, stating: “The election results are not final yet, but the situation is understandable and clear. The responsibility and possibility of governing was not given to us. I have congratulated the winner.”
The results aligned with pre-election surveys that had shown Tisza holding a lead, making Sunday’s outcome largely expected. Peter Magyar is set to become Hungary’s next prime minister, marking the conclusion of Orban’s decade-and-a-half leadership during which he gained international recognition for conservative policies and maintained strong relationships with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During the campaign’s closing days, US Vice President JD Vance made a visit to Hungary before heading to peace talks in Islamabad, in an apparent effort to support Orban’s reelection bid.
Throughout his tenure, Orban championed what he termed “illiberal democracy” while taking hardline stances on immigration policy, LGBTQ issues, and promoting Christian nationalist ideals.
Magyar, who will assume the prime minister role, was formerly a member of Orban’s Fidesz party until departing in 2024. Campaigning on a conservative platform, he promised to implement anti-corruption measures and successfully brought together Orban opponents from across the political spectrum.
Should the final vote tally confirm these projections, Tisza’s parliamentary majority would provide Magyar with substantial authority to implement his governing agenda.
