Hungary's Orban concedes election defeat, opposition set for two-thirds majority, partial results show

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Sunday conceded defeat after 16 years in power and congratulated opposition leader Peter Magyar, whose Tisza party was on course to secure a two-thirds majority in parliament, according to partial official results.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban looks on as he addresses supporters after partial results in the country's parliamentary election were announced, in Budapest on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Photo: REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

With about 46 percent of the vote counted, Tisza was projected to win 135 seats in the 199-member parliament, enough for a constitutional majority, National Election Office (NVI) data showed.

Magyar: Orban pogratulował mi zwycięstwahttps://t.co/S2WGhAnktH

— PolskieRadio24.pl (@PR24_pl) April 12, 2026

Orban’s ruling Fidesz party was expected to win 57 seats based on the partial returns.

Sunday's vote was closely watched across Europe, with Magyar pledging to strengthen ties with Poland if he takes power.

Peter Magyar. Photo: EPA/Tibor Illyes

Orban's defeat was expected to send shockwaves through right-wing political circles in the European Union and beyond.

Orban ogłosił klęskę. "Bardzo bolesne"https://t.co/7W8IOMbTJ3

— PolskieRadio24.pl (@PR24_pl) April 12, 2026

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said the Hungarian election could mark a turning point for Europe following a recent wave of gains by pro-Russian and Eurosceptic groups.

Orbán’s video address was booed at a Tisza rally.

It now looks like the country’s course could change dramatically: Hungary may become more pro-European, stop blocking EU decisions, and begin supporting new sanctions.

The country could also stop acting as a “Trojan horse” for… https://t.co/fc7pd5n1zJ pic.twitter.com/dn059pK89D

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 12, 2026

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Source: TVP Info, PAP, IAR, Reuters