By Lucia I Suarez Sang and Emmet Lyons
Updated April 12, 2026 / 10:00 PM EDT / CBS/AP
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is set to lose the national election, with opposition leader Peter Magyar projected to win a large parliamentary majority. Orbán, the European Union’s longest-serving leader and a longtime ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, conceded Sunday night after what he called a “painful” result, ending 16 years in power.
“I congratulated the victorious party,” Orbán told supporters in Budapest. “We are going to serve the Hungarian nation and our homeland from opposition as well.” Magyar later posted that Orbán had called to congratulate him.
With about 77% of votes counted, Magyar’s pro‑European conservative Tisza party had more than 53% support versus roughly 38% for Orbán’s governing Fidesz. Magyar said up to 6 million Hungarians voted in an electorate of just over 9 million people. He added he was “cautiously optimistic” despite thousands of reports of alleged election tampering.
Large crowds waving Hungarian flags gathered near the Danube and the Parliament building to celebrate the projected win. Supporters described the outcome as historic and a restoration of democratic norms. Independent watchdogs and European officials have long accused Orbán’s government of undermining democratic institutions and the rule of law since he first took office in 2010. Transparency International has ranked Hungary among the most corrupt in the EU during his tenure.
At polling stations in Budapest, younger voters interviewed by CBS News said they supported Magyar to realign Hungary with the EU and to move away from Orbán’s pro‑Russia, anti‑EU stance. One 21‑year‑old voter called Orbán “very anti‑EU and pro‑Russia,” while another said he voted to help unite the country and restore civic norms.
Orbán has been one of former President Trump’s closest international allies, a relationship that deepened over the past decade and was on display last week when U.S. political figure J.D. Vance campaigned publicly with Orbán in Budapest.
European leaders reacted swiftly to Orbán’s concession. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote that “Europe’s heart is beating stronger in Hungary tonight,” saying Hungary had chosen Europe. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered “heartfelt congratulations” and expressed readiness to work with Magyar. French President Emmanuel Macron called it a victory for democratic turnout and EU values. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also congratulated Magyar, framing the result as significant for European democracy.
Aidan Stretch contributed to this report.