Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán concedes election defeat, ending 16-year rule

Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat in Hungary’s hotly contested election, marking the end of his 16-year rule.

He was the longest-serving EU leader.

The concession marks a victory for his rival, conservative Peter Magyar, a former government insider and political newcomer who has promised "system change".

Orbán said: "The election results, though not yet final, are clear and understandable; for us, they are painful but unambiguous".

"We have not been entrusted with the responsibility and opportunity to govern. I congratulated the winning party".

Supporters of Peter Magyar celebrate on the banks of the river Danube. Photo: FERENC ISZA / AFP.

Writing on Facebook, Magyar said the outgoing leader had called him to "congratulate" him and his pro-European Tisza party on victory.

With votes in almost 67 per cent of precincts counted, Magyar's party stood to have gained 137 seats, or more than two-thirds of all 199 parliamentary seats, according to official election results.

The elections saw thousands of Hungarians flock to polling booths, marking a record voter turnout in the country. 

The vote was being closely watched, both in Europe and across the Atlantic Ocean in the United States, with US President Donald Trump having thrown his weight behind Orbán, a key Putin ally, even going so far as to send US Vice President JD Vance to Hungary in a bid to shore up support. 

Trump had pledged to bring his country's "economic might" to Hungary should it continue to be led by the incumbent prime minister.

Peter Magyar, leader of the pro-European conservative Tisza party, speaks on polling day Sunday. Photo: FERENC ISZA / AFP.

Vance also used his visit to accuse EU "bureaucrats" of alleged interference in Hungary's elections - claims that have been levied on both sides. 

European leaders were quick to react to news of Orbán's concession; European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen welcomed his defeat, writing on X in English and Hungarian:  "Europe's heart is beating stronger in Hungary tonight".

"Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary," she added. "A country reclaims its European path. The Union grows stronger."

Orbán — a self-described "thorn" in the EU's side — was at constant loggerheads with most other members of the bloc, particularly over foreign policy issues, but also on rule-of-law.

Congratulating Magyar on his win, European Parliament president Roberta Metsola wrote, like her commission counterpart in Hungarian and English: "Hungary's place is at the heart of Europe".

Foreign Minister Ian Borg offered his congratulations to Magyar, adding he was looking forward to "engaging constructively and deepening cooperation as EU partners".

Opposition Leader Alex Borg called the results a "remarkable election victory".

"An underdog campaign that challenged 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s tenure and earned the trust of the Hungarian people", he wrote on X, adding that a renewed commitment to the EU "matters more than ever".

Writing on X, French President Emmanuel Macron said he had "just spoken with Peter Magyar to congratulate him for his victory in Hungary!" Macron posted first in French, and then in Hungarian.

"France hails a victory for democratic turnout, the Hungarian people's attachment to European Union values, and for Hungary in Europe. Together, we will make Europe more sovereign, for the security of our continent, our competitiveness and our democracy," he added.

'Full of hope'

"I'm really excited. I came to this event full of hope... I'm optimistic about the change," Orsolya Rozgonyi, a 28-year-old HR manager, told AFP amid Tisza supporters who gathered in Budapest in a festive atmosphere.

The atmosphere was more subdued among hundreds of Fidesz supporters who gathered near the press centre, cordoned off from the press.

The election saw record turnout. Photo: FERENC ISZA / AFP.

Orban, who was seeking a fifth straight term, has transformed his country into a model of "illiberal democracy", publicly clashing with Brussels over rule-of-law issues, as well as over support for war-torn Ukraine.

Magyar burst onto the scene just two years ago, promising to fight corruption and offering better public services, amassing support against a backdrop of economic stagnation, despite an electoral system skewed in favour of Orban's Fidesz party.

'No infringement'

After casting his ballot earlier Sunday, Orban repeated warnings of a "major crisis" awaiting Europe.

"Fortunately, we have a lot of friends in the world. From America to China to Russia and the Turkish world," he said.

Orban has focused on making Ukraine the central topic of his campaign, portraying the neighbouring country, which is fighting off a Russian invasion, as "hostile" to Hungary.

He also vowed to continue his crackdown against "fake civil society organisations, bought journalists, judges (and) politicians".

Viktor Orbán leaving a polling station on Sunday. Photo: ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP.

Maria Toth, a 31-year-old stay-at-home mother of two, told AFP at a Budapest polling station that "it is so important for us that Viktor Orban stays in power".

"I feel Hungary is under siege from so many directions and big powers like Brussels are trying to dictate how we live," she added.

Orban's chief of staff, Gergley Gulyas, said earlier Sunday that he didn't see, for now, "any infringement that would put the final result in question".

After voting, Magyar called on voters to report suspected vote-buying, intimidation or other violations, while urging calm.

'Join forces for united Europe'

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday offered his "heartfelt congratulations" to Magyar.

"I am looking forward to working with you," Merz said in a post on X addressed to the election winner, adding: "Let's join forces for a strong, secure and, above all, united Europe."

In a separate statement, Merz said he had already called Magyar to offer his "best wishes for the great task" that lies ahead.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also took to X to congratulate Magyar and noted that Hungarians "have chosen political change".

"I hope that the country now once again uses its great opportunities in and with Europe," Wadephul said.

Germany has, in recent years, sometimes openly expressed frustration with Hungary's pro-Moscow course under Orban.

In February, Wadephul said he was "appalled" by Hungary's blocking of a major European Union loan to Ukraine, as well as a new round of EU sanctions against Russia.

Wadephul hailed the record turnout in Sunday's election, which reached 77.8 per cent at 5.30pm CET.

"The impressive voter participation shows how important their hard-won democracy is to the people," he said.