End of an Era: Orban Ousted as Magyar Wins the Elections in Hungary

Viktor Orban’s long hold on power has come to an abrupt end after a decisive electoral victory by Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party is projected to secure a commanding parliamentary majority. With more than 98% of ballots counted, preliminary results point to around 138 seats for Tisza, compared to 55 for Orban’s Fidesz and six for the far-right Our Homeland party. The outcome marks the collapse of a political system that critics had described as an “electoral autocracy,” bringing to a close 16 years of uninterrupted rule.

Addressing supporters gathered near the Danube in Budapest, Magyar framed the result as a turning point. “We did it… together we overthrew the Hungarian regime,” he declared, as crowds celebrated what he called an unprecedented mandate. Voter turnout reached a record 79.5%, and Magyar underlined the scale of support, saying that “never before… has any single party received such a strong mandate.” In a sign of the speed with which events unfolded, Orban reportedly phoned to congratulate him early in the evening, before appearing publicly to admit that the result was “clear and painful.”

Orban, who had built his dominance through four consecutive election wins and repeated supermajorities, acknowledged defeat while thanking his core electorate of roughly 2.5 million voters. “The days ahead of us are for us to heal our wounds,” he said. He is expected to remain in a caretaker role for now, though his political future and that of Fidesz remain uncertain. For years, his leadership reshaped Hungary’s institutions, from the judiciary to the electoral system, often drawing criticism from European partners.

Magyar’s campaign drew support from across the political spectrum, including former Orban backers disillusioned by what they saw as entrenched corruption and patronage networks. Over two years, he built momentum through relentless campaigning, often delivering multiple speeches a day across towns and cities. His platform promises sweeping reforms: restoring judicial independence, tackling corruption, overhauling healthcare and education, and dismantling the so-called NER system that critics say enriched loyalists and concentrated power.

If confirmed, the projected two-thirds majority would allow Magyar to amend the constitution, a tool Orban himself used extensively after 2010. The Tisza leader has pledged to use such authority to reverse key changes introduced under his predecessor. “You performed a miracle today… Hungary made history,” he told supporters, comparing the moment to the revolutions of 1848 and 1956. Celebrations spread across the capital, with car horns blaring and flags waved from rooftops and windows.

The election result also carries implications beyond Hungary. Orban had been one of Moscow’s closest partners within the European Union, maintaining ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and frequently clashing with EU policy, including blocking financial support for Ukraine. Magyar signaled a shift in direction, promising stronger relations with Brussels and announcing that his first foreign visits would be to Poland and the European Commission, where he aims to unlock billions in frozen EU funds.

International reaction was swift. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the outcome, writing that “Europe’s heart is beating stronger in Hungary tonight.” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for renewed cooperation, saying Kyiv was ready for “constructive work for the benefit of both nations.” Other European leaders, including those from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, described the result as a significant moment for European democracy.

Despite the scale of the victory, some Hungarians remain cautious. One supporter described Magyar as “someone you cannot be absolutely sure of,” reflecting both hope and uncertainty about the country’s direction. The political landscape had long appeared divided between parallel realities - one shaped by pro-government messaging predicting another Orban win, and another driven by growing crowds at opposition rallies. On election night, those competing narratives converged decisively.

Magyar now faces the challenge of translating electoral momentum into governance. He has pledged to reform state media, rebuild institutional trust, and steer Hungary toward a more cooperative role within the EU. “Tonight we celebrate… but tomorrow, we start work,” he told supporters. The message captured both the scale of the political shift and the expectations that come with it, as Hungary enters a new and uncertain chapter.