Viktor Orban's Fidesz party loses power in historic Hungarian election

After 16 years of continuous rule, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has conceded defeat to the opposition party TISZA, led by Peter Magyar, following a record-breaking voter turnout in the Hungarian parliamentary elections.

Key points

• Preliminary results indicate TISZA is on track to secure 137 seats, potentially reaching a constitutional majority in the 199-seat parliament.
• Viktor Orban acknowledged the defeat as clear and painful, confirming he has congratulated Peter Magyar on the victory.
• The election saw the highest voter turnout in the history of democratic Hungary, with 77.8 percent of eligible citizens casting ballots by 18:30.
• Fidesz is projected to retain 55 seats, while the far-right Mi Hazank party is expected to hold 7 seats.

Why it matters

The defeat of Viktor Orban marks a significant shift in Hungarian governance and potentially alters the country's trajectory within the European Union and NATO.