Hungary’s long-serving Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, has conceded defeat, as early results point to a major victory for the opposition.
The development comes as vote counting continues in Sunday’s election, with preliminary figures indicating a strong lead for the opposition Tisza party.
Speaking in Budapest, Orban told supporters that although results were not yet fully concluded, the outcome was already clear and painful for his party.
He said voters had withdrawn the mandate to govern, adding that his political movement would now focus on rebuilding and reorganising.
Orban also congratulated opposition leader Peter Magyar, acknowledging the shift in voter sentiment.
Early projections suggest the Tisza party is on course to secure a parliamentary majority, potentially surpassing the constitutional threshold required for control.
In contrast, Orban’s Fidesz party is expected to win significantly fewer seats, falling short of a two-thirds majority.
Peter Magyar, a former ally of Orban who left the ruling party in 2024, has emerged as the central figure in the opposition’s electoral breakthrough.
The election outcome marks one of the most significant political shifts in Hungary in over a decade.
Final results are expected to confirm a change in leadership, bringing an end to more than 16 years of Orban’s rule.
