Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán conceded defeat in the April 12 election after 16 years in power as one of President Donald Trump’s closest European allies.
Hungary’s current opposition party, Tisza, is expected to win 135 seats in the country’s 199-member parliament, a two-thirds majority, based on partial results released by the Hungarian National Elections Authority.
Party leader Péter Magyar, who is likely to become the next prime minister, said on Facebook that Orbán “congratulated us on our victory on the phone.”
“The election results are not yet final, but the situation is understandable and clear,” Prime Minister Orbán said at the Fidesz election office. “The election results are painful for us, but they are clear.”
With a parliamentary majority, Mr. Tisza could pass a new constitution, as Mr. Orban’s Fidesz party did in 2011. It would also likely end Hungary’s adversarial role within the European Union and could pave the way for a $105 billion loan to war-torn Ukraine that Mr. Orban had blocked.
“Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. The country will take back its European path. The European Union will become even stronger,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told X.
Mr. Orbán and Mr. Trump have been compared to each other, with critics citing similarities in what they see as attacks on government institutions, a rollback of democracy and a rollback of civil rights.
Vice President JD Vance, who visited Hungary just days before the election, praised Prime Minister Orban’s governance and leadership style as a model for Europe and accused the EU of trying to influence the outcome.
Many Hungarians are growing weary of Mr. Orbán, 62, after three years of economic stagnation, rising costs of living and reports that oligarchs close to the government are amassing even more wealth.
World leaders and US lawmakers react to results
Magyar said on Facebook that congratulations had started pouring in from other world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, European People’s Party Leader Manfred Weber, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Several international public figures also congratulated Magyar on his social media accounts, with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gaar Stoere calling it a “very important result for all of Europe.”
“In the democratic elections, the Hungarian people demonstrated a strong will to become an active member of the European Union and NATO. The election results give Hungary the opportunity to return to the community of values and security as a constructive actor,” Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo wrote in X. “I congratulate Mr. Péter Magyar and hope that he will do his best to regain his confidence.”
In the U.S. Congress, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) likened Mr. Orbán’s defeat to the upcoming midterm elections later this year, raising questions about whether a blue wave is on the rise, with Republicans potentially facing difficulties as Democrats continue to win elections in 2025 and 2026.
“Far-right authoritarian Viktor Orbán lost the election. Next up will be Trump’s sycophants and MAGA extremists in Congress in November,” Jeffries wrote in X. “Winter has come.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) echoed a similar message, warning President Trump to “pay attention” following the election results.
“Wannabe dictators are wearing out their welcome,” Schumer wrote to X. “November 2026 can’t come soon enough.”
X’s live broadcast in the Magyar language showed scenes of Hungarian celebrations, with crowds of people waving flags and cheering while Magyars spoke at Tisza’s press conference after the election results were announced.
This is a developing story.
Contributed by: Reuters, USA TODAY’s Zach Anderson
