Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has conceded defeat in the country's parliamentary elections, ending his 16-year tenure as the nation's leader. The election, held on April 12, 2026, saw a coalition of opposition parties secure a projected majority.
Orban, a populist conservative and a close European ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, acknowledged the results in a speech on Sunday. His party, Fidesz, had governed Hungary since 2010, implementing policies that often put it at odds with the European Union.
The opposition alliance, led by Peter Magyar and his Tisza party, campaigned on promises to restore democratic checks and balances and mend relations with the EU. Preliminary results indicate a clear victory for the coalition, marking a significant political shift in Central Europe.
The transition of power is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with the new parliament set to convene and elect a new prime minister. International observers have noted the election was conducted peacefully.
