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Hungary election result: Trump ally Viktor Orban calls Peter Magyar; here's what happened

The Hungary election results are out and it is President Donald Trump Viktor Orban who ended up on the losing side. On Sunday, opposition leader Peter Magyar revealed that he received a call from the PM, who conceded defeat after 16 years in power.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban votes during the Hungarian parliamentary election in Budapest (REUTERS)

Magyar said that Orban personally acknowledged the result, writing on social media: “Prime Minister Viktor Orban just congratulated me on the phone on our victory.” The statement followed early official results showing Magyar’s Tisza Party taking a commanding lead.

Viktor Orban addresses Magyar phone call

Shortly afterward, Orban publicly addressed supporters in Budapest, confirming the outcome and signaling a transition to opposition. “I congratulated the victorious party,″ Orban said. “We are going to serve the Hungarian nation and our homeland from opposition as well.”

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Hungary election results

With 37% of ballots counted, Tisza held 51% of the vote compared to 40% for Orbán’s ruling Fidesz, leading in 95 of the country’s 106 constituencies. The capital, Budapest, where counting traditionally moves slower, was also expected to favor the opposition.

The election, widely seen as one of Europe’s most consequential this year, drew record turnout. By early evening, participation had surpassed 77%, the highest in Hungary’s post-Communist history. Magyar struck a cautious tone as results emerged, saying he and his party were “cautiously confident,” while urging restraint among supporters.

“I’m asking our supporters and all Hungarians: Let’s stay peaceful, cheerful, and if the results confirm our expectations, let’s throw a big, Hungarian carnival,” he said.

Key Trump, Putin ally

The outcome represents a stunning reversal for Orban, a dominant figure in European politics and a key ally of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Over his 16-year tenure, Orban reshaped Hungary’s institutions, tightened control over media, and frequently clashed with the European Union – particularly over Ukraine and relations with Russia.

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Magyar framed the vote as a defining geopolitical and domestic choice. After casting his ballot, he told reporters the election was “a choice between East or West, propaganda or honest public discourse, corruption or clean public life.”

The campaign unfolded under intense scrutiny, with both sides alleging electoral violations. Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, said the high turnout proved that “Hungarian democracy is extremely strong,” while maintaining confidence that Fidesz could still secure a parliamentary majority.

(With AP inputs)