Peter Magyar Wins Hungarian Election, Ending Viktor Orban’s 16-Year Rule

Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure as the Prime Minister of Hungary ended on April 12, 2026, following a decisive defeat in the parliamentary elections. Péter Magyar, leader of the center-right opposition Tisza party and a former insider of Orbán’s party, is set to take over as prime minister once the newly elected Parliament meets.

The election saw a record 79.5% voter turnout, the highest in the history of democratic Hungary. Preliminary results, based on more than 98% of the votes counted, indicate a landslide victory for the Tisza party, which is on course to secure 138 seats in the 199-seat parliament. This provides Magyar with a constitutional supermajority.

In contrast, Orbán’s Fidesz party is on track to win only 55 seats, while the far-right Our Homeland party is projected to receive six seats. Viktor Orbán conceded the election, stating that his party would serve the country and the Hungarian nation from the opposition.

Mandate for Reform

The scale of the victory allows Péter Magyar to pursue a comprehensive reversal of the reforms implemented during the Orbán era. Magyar has declared that the previous regime is over and intends to use his supermajority to change the constitution and dismantle the pillars of what has been described as an illiberal democracy.

Specifically, Magyar aims to remove the tight control the previous administration held over state companies, the media, and the judiciary. To facilitate a cleanup of the state, he has called for a series of top-level resignations, including the heads of the following institutions:

• The supreme court
• The judicial council
• The state audit office
• The competition authority
• The media authority

Magyar has called for the resignation of Hungary’s President, Tamás Sulyok, who possesses the authority to veto legislation and return it to parliament.

Campaign and Domestic Focus

Péter Magyar spent two years building his movement, traveling through cities, town squares, and villages to rally voters. His campaign focused heavily on combating endemic corruption and cronyism, while also addressing domestic concerns such as poor health care and a stagnating economy.

Viktor Orbán attempted to maintain power by stoking fears that Hungary could be drawn into the war in Ukraine. However, the electorate ultimately opted for a change in leadership, leading to what some observers have described as a European electoral earthquake.

Together we overthrew the Hungarian regime.

Péter Magyar

International Implications

The shift in leadership is expected to have significant international repercussions. Magyar has stated that Hungary will once again be a strong ally in the EU and NATO. This is viewed as a relief for European Union leaders, as Orbán had frequently been a source of friction within the bloc.

The result is also seen as a blow to U.S. President Donald Trump, who had endorsed Orbán during the campaign. Orbán had maintained close ties with both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin throughout his 16 years in power.

Following the results, supporters gathered in Budapest, specifically on the banks of the River Danube, to celebrate the transition of power. The atmosphere was marked by jubilant crowds chanting Europe, Europe as the results were confirmed.