Back
Politics

Hungary's Tisza Party Wins Parliamentary Election, Ending Viktor Orbán's 16-Year Tenure

Generated on: Last updated: 7 sources
View source

Hungary's Political Era Ends as Orbán Concedes Election Defeat

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán conceded defeat in a national parliamentary election on Sunday, ending his 16-year tenure. Péter Magyar, leader of the center-right Tisza party, is set to become the new prime minister after his party secured a two-thirds supermajority in parliament. The election, which saw record-high voter turnout, is expected to lead to significant shifts in Hungary's domestic policies and its relationship with the European Union.

Election Results and Concession

With 98.74% of votes counted, the Tisza party is projected to win 138 of the 199 seats in Hungary's parliament, granting it a constitutional supermajority. The ruling Fidesz party, led by Viktor Orbán, won 55 seats, and the Mi Hazánk party won 6 seats.

Voter turnout was nearly 80%, the highest since the fall of communism in the 1990s. An exit poll indicated 77% of voters strongly supported Hungary's continued membership in the European Union.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán conceded defeat less than three hours after polls closed. In a speech to supporters, he described the result as "painful but unambiguous" and stated he had congratulated the winning party. He said Fidesz would "serve the Hungarian nation... from opposition as well."

Plans of the Incoming Government

Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar stated the full election results should be confirmed by May 4, with his government potentially being installed on May 5. He described the election as a vote for a "complete change of regime."

At a press conference, Magyar outlined several planned actions for his incoming government:

  • Constitutional and Institutional Reforms: Amend the constitution to limit future prime ministers to two terms (eight years). Magyar stated this rule would be applied retroactively, which would bar former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán from running again.
  • Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption: Implement anti-corruption measures, restore judicial independence, and establish a national asset recovery office to investigate financial crimes related to state funds.
  • Media Freedom: Suspend news broadcasts from public television and radio until a new supervisory board can ensure what he described as unbiased coverage.
  • EU Integration: Join the European Public Prosecutor's Office, granting EU investigators authority to probe fraud cases involving EU funds. Magyar stated these actions are intended to facilitate the release of approximately €17 billion in EU funds currently frozen over rule-of-law concerns.
  • Calls for Resignation: Magyar called for the resignation of the heads of Hungary's two highest courts, the audit office, competition and media authorities, the chief prosecutor, and President Tamás Sulyok.

International Reactions

Leaders from the European Union and other nations responded to the election outcome.

  • European Union: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated Brussels would start working with the new Hungarian government "as soon as possible" on issues including frozen EU funds. She said, "Hungary has chosen Europe. A country reclaims its European path."
  • Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the result "a good day" and a signal "against rightwing populism." A German government spokesperson said the change should lead "very quickly" to the release of EU funds for Ukraine.
  • Regional Leaders: Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš congratulated Magyar and said they looked forward to "constructive cooperation."
  • Other European Leaders: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer were among those who congratulated Magyar on his victory.
  • Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to advance cooperation with Hungary. He noted that Magyar has stated he will continue Orbán's opposition to sending arms to Ukraine or fast-tracking its EU membership.
  • United States: U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated on social media that the result "did not bode well for the Trump administration."
  • Political Groupings: The Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament, which includes Orbán's Fidesz party, called the result "a setback" for forces advocating for "democratic self-determination and traditional European values."

Background on the Orbán Era

Viktor Orbán served as Prime Minister of Hungary for 16 years, with his Fidesz party in power since 2010. During his tenure, his government implemented constitutional and legal changes that critics said weakened judicial independence, consolidated media control, and entrenched party influence.

The European Union withheld billions of euros in funds from Hungary, citing concerns over democratic standards, the rule of law, and corruption.

Orbán's government frequently clashed with EU partners, particularly over policies related to migration, support for Ukraine, and sanctions against Russia. Orbán delayed and often opposed EU sanctions on Russia and, in late 2023, vetoed a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine.

Orbán maintained close political relationships with former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the lead-up to the election, he received endorsements from figures including Trump, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Impact on Israeli Political Dynamics

The election result was noted within Israel's political landscape due to the longstanding relationship between Viktor Orbán and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

  • Netanyahu had publicly endorsed Orbán's re-election campaign, recording a video statement in which he said, "Viktor Orbán means safety, security, stability." Following the election, Netanyahu called Orbán a "true friend of Israel" and congratulated Péter Magyar.
  • The two leaders maintained a political relationship for approximately 15 years. During Orbán's tenure, Hungary used its veto power to block European Union statements or measures critical of Israel. After the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu in 2024, Hungary announced its withdrawal from the ICC.
  • Some members of Israel's opposition viewed Orbán's defeat as encouraging. Israeli lawmaker Efrat Rayten described the outcome as "a message of hope," stating it shows leaders are not immune to electoral defeat.
  • Israel's opposition has frequently referenced Hungary under Orbán as a cautionary example in domestic debates, with the slogan "Israel will not become Hungary" used during 2023 protests against judicial reforms.

Challenges and Next Steps

Analysts note that the new government faces significant challenges, including Fidesz's deep influence over state institutions, media, and the judiciary built over 16 years. The release of frozen EU funds is contingent on the implementation of specific rule-of-law reforms.

European Union officials met with members of Magyar's team in Budapest on April 18 to discuss the Ukraine loan and frozen funds. The EU stated that "preliminary talks" aimed to ensure swift action once the new government is in place.

Péter Magyar has stated his government will adhere to the December EU agreement to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan, which Orbán had vetoed.