On April 12, 2026 Hungary held an election that many observers called the most important since 1989. The campaign was strongly shaped by foreign ties: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had the public endorsement of US President Donald Trump and maintained friendly relations with Vladimir Putin. US Vice President J.D. Vance visited Budapest shortly before the vote, and rumours circulated about alleged Russian counterintelligence involvement. A leaked voice recording of Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó added to the debate about Hungary's orientation toward the EU and Russia.
Voters chose between the incumbent FIDESZ, which had governed for 16 years, and the TISZA party, formed two years earlier. For many citizens the choice felt like a decision between closer ties to Russia or stronger ties with the European Union. TISZA leader Péter Magyar ran as pro‑EU and pledged to reverse what critics call autocratic changes to institutions, notably in the judiciary and the media.
Turnout reached 79.5 percent. Polls closed at 7 p.m.; by about 9 p.m. Magyar posted that Orbán had called to congratulate him. TISZA won a two‑thirds majority. Around 11 p.m. Magyar gave a lengthy speech promising to end political divisions and begin institutional change. He asked several longstanding officeholders connected to Orbán to step down and urged President Tamás Sulyok to convene the inaugural session of the new National Assembly as soon as possible.
- President of the Curia
- President of the Constitutional Court
- Prosecutor General
- President of the State Audit Office
- President of the Hungarian Competition Authority
- President of the Media Authority
- President of the National Office for the Judiciary
Magyar said he would set up a National Asset Recovery Office to investigate the status of lost EU funds and broader corruption. The Hungarian forint strengthened after results were confirmed. Public reaction was mixed: about 30 percent of voters appeared disappointed, while many others celebrated in Budapest, with streets filling with people hugging, dancing and crying after a result supporters saw as the change they had hoped for.
Difficult words
- endorsement — public support from an important person
- incumbent — current holder of a political office
- pledge — to promise to do something publiclypledged
- autocratic — ruled by one leader without democratic limits
- judiciary — system of courts and judges in a country
- turnout — percentage of eligible voters who voted
- convene — to officially call a meeting or assembly
- inaugural — relating to the first official meeting or event
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How might closer ties with the European Union affect Hungary's institutions and public life?
- What effects could a National Asset Recovery Office have on corruption and public trust?
- In what ways can foreign political endorsements influence voters in a national election?
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