Orbán Concedes Defeat in Democratic Earthquake in Hungary

Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat after losing national elections to a record turnout of Hungarians, marking an earthquake in European politics. 

With voter participation at 78%, Hungary’s prime minister, vociferously endorsed by Donald Trump admitted he had lost his hold on power after 16 years after a crushing setback.

“The election result is understandable and clear. For us, it is painful, but unambiguous,” he said.

“The days ahead will be about healing wounds. I wish everyone good health and evenings better than tonight. May God watch over all of us, go Hungarians!” 

His defeat propels Péter Magyar, and his Tisza party, into power, with a two thirds supermajority, according to preliminary results, at 98% of the count, giving him 138 seats ahead of Fidesz on 55.

“Together we have replaced the Orbán system, together we liberated Hungary and we took back our country,” he told ecstatic supporters in Budapest. “Today, my friends, we have worked a miracle, Hungary has written history.”

After less than two years at the head of his Tisza movement, Magyar, 45, is expected to bring Hungary back into the European mainstream.

“We waited for this for twenty years. Finally we joined the real Europe, as the Russian regime is over,” said Péter Kiss, a man in his 30s celebrating with other Tisza supporters on the banks of the Danube.

After fears, Fidesz would not recognise the result, Tamás Sulyok, the Hungarian president, said “the 2026 election was conducted properly”. “There is clear public confidence in the conduct of elections in our country,” he said in reference to the record turnout. “The results of the elections will be a legitimate mandate for where the country should go.

Source: Euractiv