Orbán era swept away by Péter Magyar’s Hungary election landslide
Orbán Era Ends as Magyar’s Tisza Party Secures Landslide Victory
Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule has ended abruptly, marking the collapse of the political system he once dominated. The once-unshakable “electoral autocracy” now faces a dramatic downfall, as a 45-year-old former party member has rallied enough public support to dismantle it. “We did it,” Magyar declared to a jubilant crowd in a Budapest square, gazing across the Danube at the parliament building. “Together, we have toppled the Hungarian regime.”
Early results, reflecting over 98% of counted ballots, indicate that Magyar’s Tisza party could secure an unprecedented 138 seats. Orbán’s Fidesz holds 55, while the far-right Our Homeland party garners six. For two years, Magyar’s movement traversed rural areas, urban centers, and town plazas, drawing attention to the cronyism and corruption that had become deeply entrenched under Orbán’s leadership. “Never before in Hungary’s democratic history has such a massive turnout occurred,” he remarked, as 79% of voters cast their ballots, a record high.
“The result of the election is clear and painful,” Orbán told his Fidesz colleagues at a conference center on the Buda side of the Danube. “The days ahead of us are for us to heal our wounds.” He acknowledged the loyalty of an estimated 2.5 million supporters, but the majority had now shifted allegiance.
As Magyar’s supporters celebrated in the square, the Tisza leader shared a message on Facebook: “Viktor Orbán just called me to congratulate us on our victory.” The surprise was immediate, with only 30% of votes tallied at the time. Minutes later, Orbán appeared on stage, surrounded by his disheartened Fidesz allies. The political landscape had changed irrevocably.
Magyar’s mandate extends beyond symbolic triumph. He aims to undo reforms from Orbán’s era, focusing on education, healthcare, and judicial independence. The system of patronage known as NER, which enriched party loyalists and mismanaged state funds, is a key target. A two-thirds majority in parliament—133 seats—is required for constitutional changes, and preliminary tallies suggest Tisza is on track to achieve this.
State media, long aligned with Orbán, may soon face transformation. M1 TV, which previously echoed Fidesz’s messaging, aired a speech Magyar had delivered shortly after the vote. Though he had once doubted victory, the speech now felt like a relic. The contrast between Orbán’s media dominance and Magyar’s grassroots appeal was stark.
For years, Hungary appeared to exist in two worlds. One, driven by Orbán’s rhetoric and his allies’ polls, projected continued dominance. The other, fueled by Magyar’s rallies and independent surveys, showed growing public fatigue. On Sunday night, those worlds collided, leaving only one reality. Magyar’s victory signals a shift toward EU alignment, with his supporters chanting “Russians go home” as they envision a new era of European cooperation.
Magyar’s triumph draws comparisons to historic movements, such as the 1848 revolution and the 1956 uprising against Soviet rule. Orbán, once a critic of foreign occupation, now finds himself at odds with European values, particularly after reneging on a €90bn loan agreement for Ukraine. As the dust settles, Hungary’s future promises to be defined by a new political direction.