Hungarian right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán conceded defeat Sunday after suffering a “painful” election result that ended the Trump administration ally’s 16-year grip on Budapest.
With 60% of the vote counted by afternoon, Orbán’s governing Fidesz party saw only 38% of ballots cast in its favor, compared to 52% for challenger Peter Magyar’s Tisza’s group.
’Thank you, Hungary!’’ Magyar, 45, posted on X as thousands of his supporters celebrated in Budapest.
Orbán, who received the backing of President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, said he called Magyar to concede the race once it was evident his party had lost.
“I congratulated the victorious party,” Orbán told his supporters. “We are going to serve the Hungarian nation and our homeland from opposition as well.’’
Orbán’s loss serves as a major blow to the right-wing, populist movement as it brings an end to the tenure of the European Union’s longest-serving leader and key western ally to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The election drummed up more than 77% voter turnout, a record number in any race in Hungary’s post-Communist history, according to its National Election office.
Magyar, who faced an uphill battle against Orbán, ran on a pro-European, anti-Russian platform.
Orbán has faced repeated criticisms for his cozying up to Putin, with his administration repeatedly accused of acting on Russia’s behalf within the European Union.
When casting his vote, Magyar told reporters that the election was “a choice between East or West, propaganda or honest public discourse, corruption or clean public life.”
Magyar hailed the victory as a new day for the country while thanking citizens for the massive turnout.
“I’m asking our supporters and all Hungarians: Let’s stay peaceful, cheerful, and if the results confirm our expectations, let’s throw a big, Hungarian carnival,” Magyar said.
Magyar was once a member of Orbán’s Fidesz party before breaking rank in 2024 to form the Tisza party.
Along with his anti-Russian approach, the politician campaigned on everyday issues affecting Hungarians, including government corruption, public health care and transportation.
Despite Orban’s control of Hungary’s public media, Magyar and Tisza were able to rally Hungarians against the prime minister’s party and secure their victory.
Tisza is a member of the European People’s Party and serves as a center-right political party.
Tisza notably won 30% of the vote in European Parliament elections in 2024, with Magyar taking a seat as an EU lawmaker.
Orbán’s loss comes just a week after Trump’s latest endorsement of the Hungarian leader, which culminated in a two-day visit from Vance to try and help the premier over the finish line.
While Orban’s political stances had garnered backlash from Europe, they’ve been embraced by Trump and MAGA Republicans who see his crackdowns on the media, universities and LGBTQ rights as a playbook that can be replicated in the US.
With Post wires
