Hungary’s opposition party, Tisza, led by Péter Magyar, secured a parliamentary majority in Sunday’s elections, defeating Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition after 16 years.
Tisza Celebrates Victory in Budapest
Residents of Budapest celebrated the victory of the opposition Tisza party late into the night following Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Hungary. Preliminary results, based on nearly 99% of votes counted, indicate Tisza will hold 138 seats in the 199-member parliament.
Election Results Confirm Shift in Power
The latest results from the National Election Office (NVI) confirm Tisza’s 138 seats. The Fidesz-KDNP coalition, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, received 55 seats. The far-right Mi Hazánk party is also entering parliament with 6 seats.
Tisza Gains Constitutional Majority
Tisza’s victory provides a majority sufficient to amend the constitution and overturn laws passed by Orbán’s government during his 16 years in power. Orbán has already congratulated his rival on the win.
International Leaders Congratulate Magyar
Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro of Portugal, Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine have also congratulated Magyar on his victory.
Record Voter Turnout
Sunday’s parliamentary elections saw a record voter turnout, with nearly 80% of eligible voters casting ballots – almost 6 million people, according to the latest NVI data.
Magyar Calls for Resignations and Outlines Future Direction
Addressing thousands of supporters gathered on the banks of the Danube, Magyar stated that “no other party has ever received such a strong mandate as TISZA.” He declared, “We have regained our country, we have liberated it. TISZA not only won, but will have a two-thirds constitutional majority.”
Magyar called on the President of Hungary and heads of public institutions appointed during Orbán’s government to voluntarily resign, warning, “If not, we will remove you ourselves. This regime is over.”
Foreign Policy Reset and European Alignment
Regarding foreign policy, Magyar emphasized that Hungary “will once again be a strong and reliable ally of the European Union and NATO.” He confirmed plans to travel to Warsaw for his first foreign visit as prime minister to “rebuild the thousand-year-old Polish-Hungarian friendship.”
He intends to then visit Vienna and Brussels to secure EU funds due to Hungary.
Celebrations Erupt in Budapest
Tens of thousands of people celebrated the opposition’s victory on the streets of Budapest. The city was filled with the sounds of car horns, applause, anti-government slogans, and jubilant cheers. Many people tore down Tisza posters or trampled on Fidesz campaign materials in celebration.
Hungarian flags waved from windows and cars, and strangers congratulated each other on the opposition’s win. Smaller stages were set up around the city, surrounded by beer and snack stalls, filled with people celebrating the success of the opposition.
“Today we celebrate, and tomorrow we welcome a new Hungary, our Hungary,” residents of the capital told PAP.
Reporting by
Jakub Bawołek (PAP) from Budapest
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