(SeaPRwire) – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán acknowledged his defeat in the national parliamentary elections on Sunday, describing the outcome as both “clear” and “painful” as preliminary tallies indicated a commanding victory for opposition figurehead Péter Magyar.
Magyar confirmed via social media that Orbán had reached out by phone to formally concede the race.
With approximately 53% of the ballots processed, forecasts suggest that Magyar’s Tisza party is positioned for a sweeping win that may secure a two-thirds supermajority in parliament.
This outcome signals a potential seismic shift in Hungarian politics, ending Orbán’s tenure of more than ten years.
Orbán, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, had been bolstered by vocal support from the White House during the final stretch of the election cycle.
Shortly before the polls opened, Trump reaffirmed his backing for Orbán through a statement on Truth Social.
“My Administration stands ready to use the full economic might of the United States to strengthen Hungary’s Economy, as we have done for our great allies in the past, if Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Hungarian People ever need it,” Trump stated. “We are excited to invest in the future prosperity that will be generated by Orbán’s continued leadership!”
Entering the election behind in the polls, Orbán encountered his most formidable political test since 2010, with data consistently placing Magyar’s Tisza party in the lead.
Orbán, who has governed Hungary for 16 years, has faced intense pressure from the European Union regarding his policies on migration and the war in Ukraine, though he has retained a loyal base among older and rural demographics.
The friction between his administration and the EU is largely attributed to his approach to the conflict in Ukraine, his staunch support for Israel, and his restrictive migration policies, all of which have resulted in EU-imposed financial sanctions.
Throughout Orbán’s leadership, Hungary experienced relatively robust economic growth compared to other EU nations, though the country has recently grappled with persistent inflation and a downturn in business confidence.
Leading up to the election, Orbán remained optimistic, characterizing the campaign as “a great national moment on our side” and asserting to the press, “I’m here to win.”
Conversely, Magyar positioned the election as a pivotal moment for the nation, cautioning that Hungary had strayed from its traditional Western partnerships in recent years.
“I think this really will be a referendum on our country’s place in the world,” Magyar remarked.
Digital’s Eric Mack and Simon Constable contributed to this report.
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