Viktor Orban loses Hungarian parliamentary elections after sixteen years in power

Viktor Orban's sixteen-year tenure as Prime Minister of Hungary has ended following a major electoral defeat. Peter Magyar and his Tisza party secured approximately 136 to 138 seats in the 199-member parliament, while Orban’s Fidesz party was reduced to 55-56 seats. The elections were marked by record voter turnout, which reached nearly 78 percent. Orban formally conceded the election, describing the results as painful but clear, and announced his intent to serve as the leader of the opposition. The new legislative majority allows the Tisza party to potentially revise the constitution and implement judicial reforms. These changes are expected to address the concerns regarding the rule of law that led to the freezing of EU funds for Hungary. Although some initial reports suggested allegations of potential voting irregularities, government officials and the opposition largely characterized the election as a democratic process.