Péter Magyar's Tisza Party Wins Landslide with Two-Thirds Majority in Historic Election Upset
Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat in Hungary's general election, ending his 16-year tenure as prime minister after Péter Magyar's Tisza party secured a landslide victory with a projected two-thirds majority — in an election that saw the highest voter turnout since the 1990s and sparked celebrations across Budapest.
The Result
With 98% of votes counted, Tisza was projected to secure 138 seats in the 199-seat parliament, while Orbán's Fidesz party obtained just 55 seats and the far-right Mi Hazánk party received 6. The two-thirds majority — also known as a "super-majority" — gives the new government the power to reverse some of the constitutional changes implemented by Orbán and Fidesz, and potentially unlock billions in frozen EU funds. Voter turnout reached approximately 77.8%, surpassing the previous record of 70.5% set in 2002.
Orbán's Concession
Orbán acknowledged his defeat, stating that the election result was "painful for us, but clear." Despite the loss, he pledged that his party would "never, never, never give up" and would serve the country from the opposition. Crowds in Budapest chanted "It's over!" and "Russians, go home!" as the results came in.
Magyar's Victory Speech
Péter Magyar, a former government insider who campaigned extensively in rural areas to erode Orbán's traditional support base, promised to reintegrate Hungary into mainstream European politics, affirming a pro-EU and NATO course for the country. He pledged to rebuild ties with the EU, restore the "system of checks and balances," and join the European Public Prosecutor's Office.
International Reaction
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Magyar, stating: "Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. Together we are stronger." UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it an "historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy." French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also offered congratulations, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted "Russians, go home!" in Hungarian. Full Guardian live coverage.
