Hungary holds parliamentary elections amid high voter turnout

Hungary is holding parliamentary elections on April 12, 2026, marking a pivotal contest for incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has been in power for 16 years. Voters are choosing between five parties, with the primary challenge coming from Péter Magyar and his center-right Tisza party. Voter turnout reached 54.14% by 13:00 local time, significantly higher than the 40.1% recorded in 2022. While Fidesz-KDNP polls predict a win for the ruling coalition, independent surveys suggest a tight race. The election process faces criticism for an electoral system that allegedly favors the ruling party through redrawn districts and additional seat allocations. Orbán has received vocal support from U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, while the opposition campaigns on issues of corruption, public service deterioration, and inflation. Polls are scheduled to close at 19:00 local time, and no official exit polls will be released.