Hungarians decide whether to end 16 years of Orbán rule and elect rival

Hungarians Cast Votes in Crucial Election to Challenge Orbán’s Leadership

Hungarians will cast their votes on Sunday, a critical election that could challenge Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure as Prime Minister and impact broader international relations with Europe, the US, and Russia. While most polls indicate Péter Magyar’s Tisza party has a strong chance, Orbán remains undeterred, declaring his intent to secure a “victory that will surprise everyone, perhaps even ourselves” to his supporters in Budapest’s Castle Hill.

Voting runs from 06:00 to 19:00 local time (04:00 to 17:00 GMT), with initial results expected in the evening. Orbán has heightened his campaign rhetoric, accusing opponents of seeking “power at any cost,” while Magyar urges voters to resist “Fidesz pressure and blackmail.” The election marks a pivotal moment after 16 years of Orbán’s governance, described by the European Parliament as a “hybrid regime of electoral autocracy.”

“We don’t give our children, we don’t give our weapons and we don’t give our money,” Orbán declared to his audience, who echoed his message with chants of “we won’t let that happen.” A supporter named Johanna praised his policies on family values and Ukraine, but analysts suggest his fourth consecutive win may face stiff competition.

Hungary’s political landscape is shaped by its complex electoral system, which Orbán admits has favored his party. Despite this, three leading pollsters predict a “huge lead” for Magyar’s Tisza, though a two-thirds supermajority remains uncertain. Analyst Róbert László from Political Capital notes that the party might secure a comfortable majority but not a decisive two-thirds win.

The race has seen growing dissent, with figures from police, military, and business criticizing Fidesz. László believes this reflects a shift in public sentiment against Orbán, who recently blocked €90bn in EU aid to Ukraine, drawing ire from European allies. Hungary’s position in both NATO and the EU adds to the stakes, as its policies on Ukraine and Russia influence regional dynamics.

Magyar’s strategy hinges on defeating Fidesz in key towns like Györ, near the Slovak border. Orbán highlighted this area in his campaign last month, but the outcome of such battlegrounds will determine the final result. While Nézőpont Institute suggests Fidesz could still emerge victorious, its leader Ágoston Mráz warns that delayed vote counting—particularly in constituencies where 5% of ballots remain unaccounted for—could prolong uncertainty for days.