Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat to his rival Peter Magyar, after he was defeated in national elections.
Magyar, the 45-year-old upstart politician, took to Facebook tonight and revealed that Orbán, the Trump and Putin ally who has held an iron grip on Hungary for 16 years, ‘congratulated us on our victory over the phone’.
He added: ‘Thank you Hungary!’
Orbán, Europe’s longest serving leader, said in a speech to his supporters that he had conceded, telling them: ‘The result of the election is clear and painful.’
Saluting the crowd, he added: ‘We don’t have the weight of governing the country so we have to rebuild our communities.
‘We never give up, this is one thing people know about us, we never give up. The days ahead of us are for us to heal our wounds.’
Hungarians came out in force for the election, the first since 2022. After just five hours of voting, turnout was at a record 66%, according to the National Election Office.
This is far higher than in 2022, an election that saw 900,000 fewer voters casting their ballots by 3pm.
While supporters of Magyar’s Tisza party were seen celebrating over the defeat of one of Europe’s fiercest critics, many of Orbán’s supporters were seen weeping upon hearing that he had conceded.
Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat to his rival Peter Magyar (pictured)
Viktor Orbán (pictured, foreground) is a Trump ally who held an iron grip on Hungary for 16 years
Supporters of Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party, clap after the announcement of partial results of the parliamentary election, in Budapest, Hungary, April 12, 2026
Top European figures have already begun celebrating the major political upset.
Sir Keir Starmer tonight celebrated Magyar’s victory, writing on X: ‘Congratulations [Peter Magyar] on your election victory.
‘This is an historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy. I look forward to working with you for the security and prosperity of both our countries.’
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission said almost immediately after Orbán conceded defeat: ‘Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. A country reclaims its European path. The Union grows stronger.’
French president Emmanuel Macron also congratulated Magyar on his victory, writing on X: ‘I just held a meeting with Peter Magyar to congratulate him on his victory in Hungary! France salutes a victory of democratic participation, of the Hungarian people’s attachment to the values of the European Union, and for Hungary in Europe.
‘Together, let us advance a more sovereign Europe, for the security of our continent, our competitiveness, and our democracy.’
And German chancellor Friedrich Merz said in post to X: ‘The Hungarian people have decided. My heartfelt congratulations on your electoral success, dear [Peter Magyar].
‘I am looking forward to working with you. Let’s join forces for a strong, secure and, above all, united Europe.’
As Hungarians went to polling stations across the nation from 6am local time this morning, Magyar said the election was a ‘referendum’ on whether the country continues to drift towards Russia’s sphere of influence.
He bluntly said shortly after casting his own vote that the election was ‘a choice between East or West, propaganda or honest public discourse, corruption or clean public life.’
Orbán saluted the crowd as he gave his conceding speech
Hungarians revelled following the announcement that Orbán has conceded to his opponent
Tisza supporters were seen celebrating Magyar’s win in Budapest on April 12, 2026
He added: ‘I urge all Hungarian citizens to exercise their right to vote.’
The nation was also voting on Orbán’s track record and his political ideology, which have undergone a massive transformation through his years in politics.
Once a liberal, anti-Soviet firebrand, he slowly, but surely, became a Russia-friendly nationalist admired today by the global far-right.
His move towards authoritarianism saw him launch harsh crackdowns on minority rights and media freedoms, and subvert many of Hungary‘s institutions.
He holds tight control of Orbán’s control of Hungary’s public media, which he has transformed into a mouthpiece for his party, and vast swaths of the private media market.
Orbán has also long been accused of siphoning large sums of money into the coffers of his allied business elite – an allegation he denies.
The populist figure put significant strain on his nation’s relationship with the EU, seeming to revel in using his veto power to stymie the 27-member bloc’s important decisions.
Most recently, he blocked a €90billion (£78.5billion) EU loan to Ukraine, prompting his partners to accuse him of hijacking the critical aid.
He has also been accused of cozying up to Russia. In the run-up to this year’s pivotal elections, media outlets alleged Russian secret services plotted to interfere and tip it in Orbán’s favour.
The Hungarian election was being closely watched across the world, particularly in Europe, where he has long been supported by Donald Trump and his MAGA movement.
The Republican has repeatedly endorsed the Hungarian leader and US Vice President JD Vance made a two-day visit to Hungary last week meant to help push Orbán over the finish line.
More to follow.
