Parliamentary elections are underway in Hungary, which could become historic for the country and end Viktor Orban’s 16-year tenure as Prime Minister.
This is reported by Finway
Record Turnout and Main Competitors
Voting began with high voter engagement. According to electoral authorities, in the first five hours, turnout reached a record 37.98%, significantly exceeding previous elections by nearly 12%.
The main competitors in the election are the incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orban and opposition candidate Peter Madyar. Madyar leads the “Tisza” party, formed after his departure from the ruling “Fidesz,” and, according to numerous polls, is the favorite in the race.
Candidate Statements and Key Promises
After voting in Budapest, Peter Madyar promised that if he wins, his team will strengthen Hungary’s position in the European Union and NATO, as well as initiate a decisive fight against corruption.
“I am here to win,” Viktor Orban told reporters, emphasizing that he “does not underestimate his opponent.”
In the lead-up to election day, the campaign was tense: Orban accused the opposition of attempting to “seize power at any cost,” while Madyar urged citizens not to succumb to “pressure and blackmail” from the authorities. The opposition stresses the need for a “regime change,” a reset of relations with the EU, and a break from close ties with Russia.
Viktor Orban, despite opposition competition, enjoys the support of U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged Hungarians to support their “friend and winner.”
In his campaign, Orban emphasizes the confrontation with Brussels and the issue of the war in Ukraine, stating that Hungary will “not give up its children, weapons, and money.”
The counting of votes is ongoing, and the first official results are expected by the evening. The elections in Hungary could mark a turning point for the country’s future in Europe.