Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok stated that the parliamentary election, which has turned into a referendum on Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s 16-year governance, was conducted smoothly and will dictate the nation’s future direction.
Sulyok delivered his remarks on Sunday after record voter turnout, amidst allegations of misconduct from both the opposition and the ruling party, each accusing the other of planning to provoke violence.
The president called for unity among Hungarians following a divisive campaign that garnered attention from the European Union, the US, and Russia. Results are anticipated to be released later in the evening.
“Regardless of the election’s outcome, it will legitimize the path Hungary will take moving forward,” Sulyok emphasized.
Opposition leader Peter Magyar expressed that he was “cautiously optimistic” regarding his Tisza party’s prospects. Outgoing Cabinet Minister Gergely Gulyas described the election as a “celebration of democracy” during a post-election briefing.
Sulyok also mentioned his intent to uphold political traditions and initiate discussions with party leaders based on the election results. This was an unusual move for the president, a known ally of Orban who usually stays out of the limelight, coming just after polls closed and before any votes had been counted.
This election is one of the most significant since Hungary’s shift away from communism. Magyar, a former insider of the ruling party, framed the vote as a choice between Eastern and Western alliances and as a crucial opportunity to prevent Hungary from slipping further into Russia’s sphere.
Pre-election polls indicated a significant lead for Magyar’s Tisza party over Orban’s Fidesz. The prime minister, known for his contentious relationship with the EU, received backing from US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Also Read: Hungarians vote in landmark election closely watched by EU, Russia, US
Putin has depended on Orban to create disunity within the EU, hinder aid to Ukraine, and soften sanctions against Moscow. The removal of Orban could facilitate the release of approximately €90 billion ($106 billion) in aid that Kyiv urgently needs to continue its defense more than four years after the full-scale Russian invasion.
Orban transitioned from a liberal, anti-communist student leader in the 1980s to center-right conservative prime minister in 1998 at just 34 years old. After losing power in 2002, he returned in 2010 as a pro-Kremlin nationalist with a mission to dismantle liberal democracy.
Magyar, who identifies as a center-right conservative, has rallied liberals and disenfranchised Fidesz voters under the Tisza banner. He is prioritizing economic issues affecting Hungarians, including the rising cost of living, education, and healthcare crises.
He has also committed to challenging the populist icon of the MAGA movement and dismantling Orban’s self-styled illiberal regime, which has allowed Orban to exert control over various sectors in Hungary and rule largely by decree in recent years.
The opposition leader has vowed to curtail the tenures of key Orban loyalists, such as Sulyok, top justices, the chief prosecutor, and various state regulators. He also intends to pursue a new constitution and amend election laws perceived to favor Fidesz, should his party secure a two-thirds majority in parliament.
Magyar argues that a “system change” is essential to align Hungary with the European mainstream and unlock over $20 billion in EU funds, which have been suspended due to corruption and rule of law concerns under Orban, and which are critically needed by the strained national budget.
Also Read: Hungary’s election could end Orban era and reshape its place in Europe
