The Hungarian parliamentary elections have concluded with a historic defeat for Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party, marking the end of their 16-year political dominance. Péter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party, has emerged as the country’s new leader, with official results confirming a landslide victory that secures a constitutional supermajority.
Despite the outgoing government’s aggressive campaign—fueled by anti-Ukrainian rhetoric and efforts to discredit President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—Hungarian society demonstrated a decisive mandate for renewal. Record-breaking voter turnout and massive pro-European rallies reflected a deep-seated public fatigue with corruption scandals and Orbán’s close ties to the Kremlin. The Prime Minister’s formal concession sparked widespread celebrations across Budapest, signaling a radical pivot in Hungary’s foreign policy back toward the EU and a likely reset of diplomatic relations with Ukraine.
Maksym Kishka for Shelter