Voter turnout was huge, close to 80%, and it produced a result that was clear within hours of polls closing.

The Tisza government will represent all Hungarians, Magyar said on Sunday evening in Budapest at his victory event. 

Magyar called on Hungary's president to resign and on the prime minister to act as a caretaker head of government from now on.

Speaking at his party's victory rally, Magyar said Tisza and Hungary had not only won the election, but "won it overwhelmingly".

"Together we have ousted the Orban system, liberated Hungary and taken our country back," he said.

"Never before in democratic Hungary have so many people voted, and no party has ever received such a powerful mandate," Magyar said.

With some 3.3 million voters delivering a "historic mandate to build a functional and humane country for all", Magyar highlighted the Tisza Party's projected two-thirds majority in the new parliament, enabling a smooth and decisive transition.

Orbán acknowledged defeat quickly, calling the outcome “painful but unambiguous” and confirming he had congratulated the winner.

Speaking to supporters, Magyar said, “We did something tonight that many thought was impossible. This country showed that change can be achieved through determination, participation, and courage. This is not about one party or one moment - this is about Hungary choosing a different way of governing itself and defining its future.”

The shift ran through the country, not just Budapest. Constituencies that had consistently backed Fidesz moved at the same time, delivering a parliamentary majority large enough to govern without constraint.

Budapest Mayor Karácsony said, “Budapest has done what it could, but this result belongs to the whole country. It is now up to national politics to prove it understands the responsibility that comes with it.”

DK’s exit from parliament underlines how completely the political field has been redrawn. Along with other smaller parties being squeezed out, the result leaves a far more concentrated structure: one dominant governing party and a reduced opposition.

"The dirtiest campaign of all time is behind us," the leader of opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) said.

Dobrev also said that "character assassination", the "humiliation and mockery of political rivals", and the treatment of political opponents and competitors "as enemies" had created a world in Hungary that made it very difficult for Hungary to be a "peaceful, sane European country".

Fidesz retains a substantial voter base, but its parliamentary position is now limited to 55 seats, without the numbers to influence legislation or block structural change.

International attention in the final days of the campaign was unusually intense. The visit of US Vice President JD Vance was intended as a signal of support for Orbán’s position within a shifting transatlantic conservative landscape. 

However, in the context of rising scrutiny over Hungary’s external alignments - including recent reporting and leaked materials alleging continued channels of communication between Fidesz-linked actors and Russian political networks - the visit became politically sensitive at home. 

Rather than consolidating support, Vance's visit appears to have reinforced concerns about Hungary’s International relations.

Orbán’s close ties to Trump and Putin had positioned Hungary as a consistent outlier within the EU’s diplomatic consensus. With his removal from power, that alignment is now being re-evaluated.

With a two-thirds majority, Tisza now has full legislative control, which includes the ability to rewrite cardinal laws and constitutional frameworks without negotiation. The political constraint has shifted from parliament to governance itself.

Magyar said Tisza's victory was thanks to "Hungarians asking not what their country can do for them but what they can do for their country."

Hungarians "have said 'no' to deception, lies, fallaciousness and betrayal," Magyar said.

"Two years ago, a few people started out, and in the end love won out in the fight between David and Goliath..."

He called April 12 "a moment of grace", comparing the election day to Hungarian revolutions and freedom fights in 1848 and 1956.

He said the victory was "not the victory of one party over the other, but Hungarians' victory over those who betrayed them; the victory of freedom over oppression, of truth over lies."

The result closes a historic 16-year governing cycle and replaces it with a mandate of equivalent scale. The defining question now how quickly the institutional and international consequences are felt.

"Back together! Glorious victory, dear friends! Ruszkik haza [Russians go home]!", Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X on Monday.

Ukrainian President Zelensky said in an English and Hungarian-language post on X, in reaction to the results of the election in Hungary.

"Congratulations to Peter Magyar and the Tisza party on their resounding victory. It is important when a constructive approach prevails," Zelensky said.

"Ukraine has always sought good-neighbourly relations with everyone in Europe, and we are ready to advance our cooperation with Hungary," he said.

"Europe and every European nation must get stronger, and millions of Europeans seek cooperation and stability," he added.

"We are ready for meetings and joint constructive work for the benefit of both nations, as well as peace, security, and stability in Europe," he said.

Congratulations to Peter Magyar on his clear electoral victory," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on the X social media platform on Sunday, adding that "the Italian government wishes him every success in his work."

Meloni thanked Prime Minister Viktor Orban for his close cooperation over the years, adding: "I know that even from opposition, he will continue to serve his nation."

She said Italy and Hungary were bound by "a deep bond of friendship".

French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated the opposition Tisza Party on its election victory on Sunday evening.

"I've just spoken with Peter Magyar to congratulate him on his victory in Hungary!" Macron said on the X social media platform. "France welcomes the victory of democratic participation, the attachment of the Hungarian people to the values of the European Union and Hungary's commitment to Europe."

"Together, let us advance towards a more sovereign Europe for the security of our continent, our competitiveness and our democracy," he said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated Tisza leader Peter Magyar on his election victory on Sunday.

"Hungary has decided. Congratulations on the won election, dear Peter Magyar. I look forward to the cooperation for a strong, secure, and above all united Europe," Merz said.

List of mandates for each party available here
 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the victory of Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar over Viktor Orbán as “an historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy”.

Starmer expressed eagerness to work with new leader Magyar on "security and prosperity of both our countries".

Barack Obama described the Hungarian election result as “a victory for democracy, not just in Europe, but around the world,” adding that it reflected “the resilience and determination of the people in Hungary.” 

Obama said the outcome should serve as “a reminder to us all to continue to stand up for justice, equality and the rule of law,” framing the change in leadership as part of a broader democratic pushback beyond Hungary itself.

Despite backing Viktor Orbán ahead of Hungary’s election, Donald Trump has not issued any public reaction to the result. 

Reports indicate Trump was asked multiple times about Orbán’s defeat but declined to comment, leaving him notably silent in the immediate aftermath.

In Israel, President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar congratulated Tisza Party leader Peter Magyar on his victory via their X social media accounts.

"Congratulations to Peter Magyar on his election victory in Hungary, and I wish him much success. We look with great confidence to the further deepening of the friendship and historic ties between Israel and Hungary, while the vibrant Hungarian Jewish community continues to serve as a strong bridge between our peoples," Herzog wrote.

He also expressed thanks to the outgoing Hungarian prime minister. "I would also like to thank Viktor Orban for his friendship and long-term support for Israel," the Israeli president added.

Sa'ar said: "Congratulations to Tisza and Peter Magyar on their victory in the Hungarian parliamentary elections. We look forward to continuing our joint work on further strengthening the good relations between our two countries and expanding our cooperation in different fields of mutual interests." He also bade farewell to Orban: "We thank Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his government for their friendship and consistent support for Israel and Jewish life during difficult times."

Russia expects that "exceptionally pragmatic" bilateral relations will continue with Hungary's new leadership, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists in Moscow on Monday.

"We expect to continue our exceptionally pragmatic relations with Hungary's new leadership," he said.

Peskov said the Hungarian people had made their decision, which Russia respected, and Moscow was interested in building good relations.

"We have heard statements [by Tisza leader Peter Magyar] expressing willingness for dialogue. Of course, this will be beneficial for both Moscow and Budapest," Peskov said.

He added that Moscow must be patient and wait to see what steps the new Hungarian leadership will take.

"We are interested in building good relations with Hungary, as with all European countries. We know that, unfortunately, we cannot yet speak of reciprocity with European countries, but Russia is open to dialogue," he said.

Peskov advised journalists at the briefing to direct questions about the future use of the Druzhba oil pipeline by Hungary and other European countries to those states themselves. In this context, he said Russia had been and remained one of the world's most reliable energy suppliers, and its role in this regard could not be overestimated.

The Kremlin spokesperson said he did not believe the results of the Hungarian parliamentary election would affect the situation around Ukraine.

"I do not think this is related to the prospects for the development of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. These are, apparently, two different processes. Therefore, I see no connection here," Peskov said.

China congratulates Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, on his victory in Hungary's parliamentary election, Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday.

The spokesperson said China attached great importance to strengthening China-Hungary relations and was ready to work with the new Hungarian government to deepen cooperation based on mutual respect, equal treatment, and mutual benefit.

He added that China was prepared to further enhance high-level exchanges, strengthen political trust, expand practical cooperation, and promote the development of cultural and people-to-people ties.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has congratulated the incoming Hungarian premier on the latter's election win and said he was ready for intensive cooperation in future, adding that the Slovak government's goals were unchanged.

Fico said on social media that he "acknowledged with full respect" Hungarian voters' decision.

The Slovak prime minister said his government was striving for "friendly bilateral ties yielding mutual benefits" with regard to the Slovak and Hungarian ethnic minorities. He added that his government had an interest in reviving the Visegrad Group as well as in making joint efforts with Hungary to promote energy interests.

Fico also thanked outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for "an excellent cooperation in recent years".

*********************************************************************************************

You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: 

Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoop’s groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary

You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters

Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop:

As an independent portal we’re grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here.