Yesterday at 19:20
Parliamentary elections were held today, April 12, in Hungary, potentially bringing major changes both domestically and across Europe. Polling stations have already closed, and vote counting is underway. According to results based on 53% of ballots counted, the opposition Tisza Party led by Péter Magyar is winning 136 seats in parliament, while Fidesz of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán holds 56. FREEДOM’s special correspondent in Europe, Vitalii Syzov, reported on how the vote unfolded, UATV English reports.
Turnout reached nearly 78% as of 18:30 local time in Budapest. Polling stations closed at 19:00, with voting conducted across approximately 10,000 locations nationwide.
Pre-election polls had indicated that the Tisza Party was ahead of Fidesz by about 10%, but exit poll data released after voting showed an even wider gap.
Addressing supporters via video link, Péter Magyar outlined steps he plans to take if his party secures victory.
“On the very first day, we will have much to do, including anti-corruption measures. We must apply for Hungary’s accession to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. We must create a national authority for the recovery and protection of assets. We must adopt everything and carefully review it all. There will be a transfer of power. It is necessary to assess the current state of the Hungarian budget and all ministries and institutions responsible for the handover. We must review the exact situation regarding the transfer of the country,” he said.
The opposition leader is already preparing to take over from the ruling party. If Tisza secures around 55% of parliamentary seats, it will be able to implement reforms and reshape the structure of power.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also spoke to the press, emphasizing his goal of defending Hungary’s sovereignty as he sees it. Throughout the campaign, he positioned Ukraine and the European Union as key targets of criticism — a strategy that appears, for the first time in his 16 years in power, to have been ineffective. In contrast, Péter Magyar has pledged to strengthen relations with the European Union.
“We consider it very important to strengthen Hungary’s position in the European Union and NATO. Of course, we will hold debates with the European Union, as with every member state, since each country represents its national interests in Brussels and Strasbourg. There is no problem in that. We find it very important to bring back the funds frozen in the EU as soon as possible. This is not only in Hungary’s interest but also in the interest of the European Union,” Magyar stressed.
Voters who came to polling stations also shared their views on the situation in the country.
“There are many problems in Hungary — in healthcare, in schools, among students. The health situation in the country leaves much to be desired, and currently there is no real democracy. There are economic problems, and this is not a liberal democracy. It means this is a dictatorship,” said a resident of Budapest.
Some voters expressed hope that Hungary will remain aligned with Western Europe.
“I hope for change, because the direction our country is currently moving in is quite gloomy. Technically, we are still part of the European Union and NATO, but we are building relations with Russia and China, these authoritarian regimes — and I don’t like that,” another Budapest resident said.
Hungarian citizens hope their country will once again become a functional, normal democracy and a typical member of the European Union, without the developments seen in recent years.
It is worth recalling that the April 12 elections in Hungary are set to determine the country’s future course and the fate of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power.
More than one-third of votes counted in Hungary: opposition Tisza Party widens lead over Fidesz of Viktor Orbán
The party of Péter Magyar already has 132 seats out of the 133 required for a constitutional majority.
UPD: With 45.71% of votes counted, the Tisza Party is securing a constitutional majority.
Opposition leader Péter Magyar stated that Viktor Orbán has congratulated him on his election victory.
Viktor Orbán publicly acknowledged his defeat in the elections.
“The election results, although not final, are clear and understandable. The responsibility and the opportunity to govern the country did not go to us. I have congratulated the winning party.”
Read also: Hungary’s Parliamentary Elections Conclude with Record Turnout
