Péter Magyar has defeated Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party in Hungary’s parliamentary elections, marking a significant shift in the nation’s political landscape.
Orbán Concedes Defeat
Viktor Orbán congratulated Péter Magyar on his victory, describing the results as “clear and painful.” He stated that his party was not given the opportunity to continue governing.
Orbán pledged to continue serving Hungary and its people as opposition, regardless of the election’s implications.
Magyar Declares Victory
Péter Magyar announced that Orbán had called to congratulate him on the win shortly after 9 PM, as initial results came in. He is scheduled to deliver a speech at 10 PM.
Magyar celebrated, stating, “We did it. Tisza and Hungary have won the elections, and not by a little, but by a lot. We have liberated Hungary together.” He thanked voters for approximately 3.3 million votes, granting them a mandate to build a homeland for all Hungarians.
Election Results
According to the National Election Office, with 87.82% of votes counted, Tisza is projected to secure 138 seats, while Fidesz will receive 54.
Tisza appears poised to achieve a two-thirds majority in parliament.
Péter Magyar’s Background
Magyar is a former member of Fidesz, having worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as a permanent representative of Hungary to the EU.
He gained wider recognition in 2024 after President Katalin Novák pardoned a person convicted of covering up pedophilia, prompting Magyar to publicly criticize the corruption within Orbán’s system and subsequently leave Fidesz.
His YouTube address reached millions, sparking the largest protests in years and leading him to lead the Respect and Freedom Party (Tisza), which achieved the second-best result in the 2024 European Parliament elections.
