Orbán era swept away by Péter Magyar’s Hungary election landslide

Magyar’s Historic Victory Ends Orbán’s 16-Year Rule in Hungary

Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure as leader has ended, marking the collapse of the political system he once dominated. A 45-year-old former party official, Péter Magyar, led the charge against Orbán’s governance, securing a decisive win that dismantled the regime he had upheld. “We did it,” Magyar declared to his jubilant followers in a square by the Danube, gazing across at Budapest’s iconic parliament. “Together we overthrew the Hungarian regime.”

Magyar’s Path to Victory

Magyar’s movement gained momentum over two years, spreading through rural areas, town centers, and urban spaces. His message resonated with citizens weary of the cronyism and corruption that had become entrenched under Orbán’s leadership. “Never before in Hungary’s democratic history has such a large turnout been seen,” he said, reflecting on the record 79% participation in Sunday’s vote. “No party has ever received a stronger mandate.”

“You performed a miracle today, Hungary made history today,” Magyar told his crowd, as chants of “Ria-Ria-Hungaria!” echoed through the square.

Preliminary counts, reflecting over 98% of ballots, indicate Magyar’s Tisza party is on track for 138 seats, while Orbán’s Fidesz holds 55 and the far-right Our Homeland secures six. The victory was swift, ending Orbán’s era of four consecutive election triumphs and dominant parliamentary control in mere moments. As supporters celebrated on the Buda side of the Danube, Magyar shared a message on Facebook: “Viktor Orbán just called me to congratulate us on our win.”

Orbán’s defeat was stark, with only 30% of votes tallied at the time. Moments later, he appeared on a stage near the parliament, flanked by his disheartened Fidesz allies. “The result is clear and painful,” he admitted, acknowledging the loyalty of his estimated 2.5 million backers. “Our task now is to mend the damage.” Nearby, Tisza activists at the party’s headquarters embraced, signaling the shift in political power.

A New Era Begins

Magyar’s agenda includes reversing policies from Orbán’s era, such as educational reforms and health system changes. He aims to combat corruption, restore judicial autonomy, and dismantle the patronage system, NER, that enriched party loyalists. With a projected 138 seats, he is well-positioned to secure the two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments. State media, including M1 TV, which had previously aligned closely with Orbán, is now a potential target for transformation.

“Russians go home,” Magyar’s supporters chanted, as the new prime minister pledged improved ties with the European Union.

Magyar’s triumph contrasted sharply with Orbán’s earlier dominance. For years, Orbán’s supporters were told they would retain power, with opinion polls favoring Fidesz even on Sunday evening. Yet, the campaign revealed a different reality, as respected pollsters showed Magyar’s growing lead. Sunday night became a turning point, where the two worlds of Orbán’s regime and Magyar’s movement converged. His victory marks a potential end to Hungary’s alignment with Russia, which Orbán had bolstered through agreements like the €90bn loan to Ukraine.

Magyar drew parallels between his success and historical revolutions, citing 1848 and 1956 as inspirations. While Orbán once opposed Soviet occupation, his recent partnership with Vladimir Putin has drawn criticism in the EU. As the next leader, Magyar promises to distance Hungary from its Russian ties, signaling a new direction for the nation’s politics. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk was among the first European leaders to hail the “glorious victory” as a landmark moment in Hungary’s democratic evolution.