LIVE: Hungary votes in high-stakes parliamentary election as Orbán risks losing power after 16 years

LIVE UPDATES

06:31 GMT: Over 2 hours since polls officially opened at 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) across the various voting centres in the country. The voting is expected to end at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT), with results expected later in the evening.

06:18 GMT: As at 07:00 local time, the voter turnout recorded was 3.46%, representing 260,556 of registered voters, according to the National Election Office.

06:02 GMT: US Vice President JD Vance accused the EU of interfering in Hungary’s elections, describing it as one of the most serious cases he has seen. Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Orban in Budapest on Tuesday, Vance said the EU had taken actions that negatively affected Hungary.

05:43 GMT: During a final campaign address in Budapest, Orban described the country’s election as a defining moment for national sovereignty, warning of foreign interference and outlining his government’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

He said Hungary would not support Ukraine with resources or military assistance. “We will not give our children to Ukraine, we will not give our money, and we will not give our weapons,” he said. “Hungary will remain an island of peace and will continue to be the safest country in Europe after the elections.”

05:06 GMT: In the lead-up to the polls, the ruling Fidesz party saturated Hungarian streets with posters that frame the upcoming election as an existential choice between "war or peace" by depicting foreign leaders and the domestic opposition as menacing threats. Prominent billboards feature "harshly lit" and unflattering portraits of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, portraying them as the faces of a "pro-war lobby" in Brussels intent on dragging Hungary into the conflict. At the same time, opposition leader Magyar is branded as an “agent of Brussels”.

04:53 GMT: Magyar, 45, is not a typical opposition figure. He comes from Orbán’s inner circle and broke away after a corruption and pardon scandal. Since then, his Tisza Party has gained momentum. His focus is different. He talks about the economy, corruption, and the rule of law, what he calls everyday issues. He has also promised to unlock between €18 billion and €22.5 billion in frozen EU funds by restoring Hungary’s alignment with European standards. Unlike past challengers, Magyar connects with voters in rural areas through retail politics, and his right-leaning background makes him harder to dismiss. Read more

04:43 GMT: Ahead of Sunday's election, Prime Minister Orbán urged voters to back his ruling Fidesz party, warning that Hungary could lose key achievements on migration, energy protection and its confrontational stance toward Brussels if the opposition prevails.

04:29 GMT: Why Hungary's election could change more than just its government

Hungary heads to the polls in what many are calling its most important election since the end of communism in 1989.

For the first time in 16 years, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is facing a serious challenge not from the usual opposition but from someone who once stood beside him.

That challenger is Péter Magyar, a former Fidesz insider who now leads the Tisza (Respect and Freedom) Party. What looks like a domestic political contest is also being watched closely far beyond Hungary, with implications for the EU, the US, Russia, and Ukraine.

Orbán’s campaign has focused heavily on the idea of “war or peace.” He has positioned himself as Hungary’s protector, warning that “progressive forces” in the West and Ukraine are trying to pull the country into conflict. Read more

04:00 GMT: Polls open in Hungary

Polling stations open at 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) and close at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT), with results expected later in the evening. According to the National Election Office, there are over 8.1 million eligible voters.

What to know about the election and possible outcomes

The election is being hailed as the most pivotal moment for the country since the collapse of communism in 1989. Opinion polls suggest that Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his nationalist Fidesz party could lose power after 16 years to the centre-right, pro-European Union Tisza party, led by former Orban loyalist Peter Magyar.

The Key Players

• Viktor Orbán (Fidesz): In power for 16 consecutive years, Orbán has transformed Hungary into an "illiberal democracy". He is a polarising figure who has consolidated control over 80% of the media and significantly weakened judicial independence.
• Péter Magyar (Tisza Party): A former Fidesz insider and diplomat, Magyar launched the Respect and Freedom (Tisza) Party after a high-profile corruption scandal involving a presidential pardon. He has surged in polls by focusing on corruption, the economy, and restoring ties with the EU.
• Minor parties: The far-right Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) may act as a kingmaker, while the centre-left Democratic Coalition (DK) and the satirical MKKP also seek representation.

How the voting works

Exactly 8,114,688 registered voters will elect 199 members of parliament. Of these, 106 are chosen in single-member constituencies under a first-past-the-post system, while 93 are selected from national party and ethnic minority lists.

Since 2010, Orbán has rewritten election laws, including gerrymandering districts and making it easier for Hungarians living abroad to vote. Ethnic Hungarians living abroad have the right to citizenship and can vote on party lists by letter. According to National Election Office data, close to 500,000 such citizens have registered for the 2026 election, and most have traditionally supported Fidesz.

The Tisza Party may need to lead Fidesz by at least six percentage points nationally just to secure a simple majority. Voters with a registered Hungarian address must vote in person, either at polling stations in Hungary or at official representations abroad.

Parties must secure at least 5% of the vote to enter parliament.

What happens after the election

President Tamas Sulyok will convene the new parliament within 30 days of the election, likely in May.

Parliament elects the prime minister by a simple majority vote. The president proposes a candidate, usually from the winning party, and parliament votes on the nomination.

If the proposed candidate is not elected, the president must submit a new proposal within 15 days. If parliament fails again to elect a prime minister, the president can dissolve parliament and call a new election.

Core campaign issues

• "War or peace": Orbán has centred his campaign on the fear of war, framing the election as a choice between Hungarian security and a "pro-war lobby" allegedly led by Volodymyr Zelensky and Ursula von der Leyen. Posters across Budapest depict these leaders as menacing figures.
• The economy and corruption: Magyar’s campaign focuses on "bread-and-butter" issues: high inflation, low wages (third lowest in the EU), and the €18 billion to €22.5 billion in EU funds currently frozen due to Hungary's rule-of-law violations.
• Sovereignty vs. integration: Orbán campaigns on defending "traditional values" against "Brussels," while Magyar promises to return Hungary to a pro-EU orientation.

International and geopolitical stakes

• Russia and Ukraine: Hungary is often seen as Moscow’s "mole" within the EU, with Orbán consistently blocking aid to Ukraine and refusing to end reliance on Russian energy. A change in government would likely ease Ukraine’s integration and remove obstacles to EU military support.
• European Union: The EU is watching closely, as Orbán's "spoiling tactics" and vetoes on the €1.8 trillion budget have frustrated leaders in Brussels. Some suggest the EU may eventually suspend Hungary's voting rights if democratic backsliding continues.
• United States: Orbán has strong ties with Donald Trump and JD Vance, while a bipartisan group of US Senators has introduced sanctions legislation to address Hungary's reliance on Russian energy.

Potential scenarios

1. Tisza simple majority: Magyar would struggle to pass major reforms, as Fidesz loyalists are embedded in state institutions (like the Prosecutor General and Constitutional Court) that require a two-thirds majority to change.
2. Fidesz victory: Orbán would likely double down on his "illiberal" path, potentially leading to further clashes with the EU and increased internal authoritarianism.
3. The two-thirds "supermajority": If either party reaches 133 seats, they would have the power to rewrite the constitution and replace top officials at will.
4. Political deadlock: If no party wins a majority, the far-right Mi Hazánk could become pivotal, though their involvement would likely lead to political stagnation.