Opposition leader Magyar leads Orbán in Hungarian legislative elections

Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar's Tisza party leads Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz in Sunday's legislative elections, according to preliminary results with more than half the ballots counted.

With 53.4% of votes tallied, Magyar's party projects 136 parliamentary seats compared to 56 for Orbán's Fidesz. The 199-seat parliament would be completed by deputies from the far-right Mi Hazánk party. Magyar's projected seat count would exceed the two-thirds majority required to undertake substantial reforms to the system built by Orbán during his 16 years in power.

Earlier projections with 29.2% of votes counted showed Tisza with 132 projected seats against Fidesz's 59. Magyar, 45, declared himself "cautiously optimistic" after polls closed and told supporters to "remain peaceful and not yield to provocations."

Orbán congratulated Magyar on the opposition's victory, according to Magyar's statement. Orbán, who voted in Budapest, has maintained criticism of the European Union and retains support from figures including Donald Trump.

Magyar, a former Orbán supporter who now openly criticizes the prime minister, has positioned himself as an advocate for European Union values. A pre-election survey showed Magyar leading 55% to Orbán's 38%.

Voter turnout reached historic levels. At 7 a.m., participation nearly doubled the 2022 election figure, standing at 3.4% compared to 1.8% four years earlier. By 5 p.m., the all-time high was surpassed. Final turnout exceeded 77%, with some reports indicating 78.5%.

Long queues formed at polling stations in Budapest, where the city's mayor called on voters to "make history." A mayor from Orbán's own party voted for Magyar, citing a choice for European Union values.

Orbán's "illiberal democracy" model faced voters after 16 years of his governance. The election followed a campaign period marked by record early participation and sustained high turnout throughout voting day.