by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief reporting from Budapest, Hungary
BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has ruled the country continuously since returning to power in 2010, has admitted defeat in Sunday’s parliamentary election and congratulated his rival Péter Magyar.
In a reversal of fortune, Magyar’s Tisza Party won more than a two-thirds majority in parliament, securing 138 of the 199 seats, official results showed.
The outcome is seen as a major setback for U.S. President Donald J. Trump, who viewed Orbán as a key conservative ally in Europe.
Washington had shown visible support for Orbán’s campaign, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance visiting Hungary in recent weeks.
However, the European Union’s executive branch, the European Commission, welcomed the outcome. “Hungary chose Europe,” wrote Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, adding that the country was “returning to its European path.”
HISTORIC SHIFT IN HUNGARY
Magyar, 45, echoed that sentiment in his victory speech before an estimated crowd of more than 100,000, many of them young supporters. He said leading the nation from Lajos Batthyány’s chair is “the greatest honor for a Hungarian.”
He spoke at an embankment along the Danube River opposite the neo-Gothic Parliament building, where lights remained on beyond usual closing hours to mark the occasion.
Addressing supporters at Budapest’s Batthyány Square, Magyar declared: “We replaced the Orbán regime and took back our homeland,” describing the result as a historic mandate backed by more than 3.3 million voters.
He said the outcome could deliver a two-thirds parliamentary majority and enable a peaceful but decisive political transition.
Calling the moment historic, Magyar compared April 12, 2026, to defining years such as 1848 and 1956, adding that “truth triumphed over lies.”
EUROPEAN REFORM AGENDA
Magyar urged Orbán to act only as a caretaker prime minister during the transition and called on President Tamás Sulyok and several senior institutional leaders—whom he described as government “puppets”—to resign.
He pledged to restore democratic checks and balances, join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, and hold those responsible for alleged corruption accountable.
Magyar said his first foreign visit would be to Poland, followed by trips to Vienna and Brussels aimed at rebuilding alliances and unlocking European Union funding.
The EU had frozen roughly 18 billion euros (about $20 billion) over concerns related to corruption and the rule of law in Hungary.
Addressing both supporters and opponents, Magyar said he would serve “all Hungarians” and work to heal divisions after what he described as a “hard defeat” for the ruling Fidesz party.
DAVID AND GOLIATH BATTLE
He said Hungarians had rejected “deception and betrayal” and compared his party’s rise to the Biblical story of David and Goliath.
“Two years ago, a few people set out, and in the end love prevailed,” he said, adding, “love always triumphs.”
Magyar thanked voters for following the Biblical encouragement: “Do not be afraid.”
Meanwhile, Orbán appeared visibly shaken as he addressed supporters, acknowledging a clear and painful loss after 16 years in power.
“The election result is painful for us, but clear: the responsibility and opportunity to govern have not been given to us,” he said, confirming he had congratulated his opponent.
ORBÁN REMAINS POLITICALLY ACTIVE
The 62-year-old leader thanked supporters for what he described as an unprecedented campaign effort, saying his party secured around 2.5 million votes.
“Never before have so many worked so hard in a single campaign,” Orbán said, noting strong turnout among his base despite the defeat.
He also expressed gratitude for continued backing from ethnic Hungarians living abroad, emphasizing their importance to his movement.
Orbán acknowledged uncertainty about the future, saying, “What this result means for the fate of our country… time will decide.”
Despite the setback, he pledged to remain active in politics and continue serving Hungary from the opposition.
FOCUS ON REBUILDING
Orbán said his party would now focus on rebuilding its communities, noting that “the burden of governing no longer rests on our shoulders.”
Striking a defiant tone, he added: “We will never abandon our voters… We will never, ever give up.”
He said the coming days would be devoted to “healing wounds” before resuming political work.
Closing his remarks, Orbán invoked faith and unity, saying, “May God watch over us all, Hungary above all.”
He ended with the slogan: “Go Hungary! Go Hungarians!”
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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