Hungary's veteran nationalist leader Viktor Orban conceded defeat on Sunday after a landslide election victory by the upstart opposition Tisza party, in a setback for his allies in Russia and U.S. President Donald Trump's White House.
Results based on 81.5% of votes counted showed the center-right, pro-EU Tisza party of Peter Magyar winning 137 seats for a crucial two-thirds majority in the 199-member parliament, defeating Orban's Fidesz party.
"The election results are not final yet, but the situation is understandable and clear," Orban, 62, said at the Fidesz campaign offices. Some of his supporters who had gathered outside cried as they watched him speak on TV screens.
"The election result is painful for us, but clear."
Election officials estimated turnout at a record of 79% or more, in an election that many Hungarians saw as a watershed moment for their country.
Tisza's Magyar, 45, had cast the vote as a choice between "East and West," warning voters that Orban and his confrontational stance towards Brussels would take the country further away from the European mainstream. Orban countered that Tisza would drag Hungary into an unwanted war with Russia, a charge Magyar denied.
"It's incredibly exciting," said 24-year-old Dorina Nyul, who attended the Tisza election night event. "It feels like this is our first and last chance in a really long time to actually change the system. And it's, I can't even describe the feeling."
The end of Orban's 16-year rule will have significant implications not only for Hungary, but for the European Union, Ukraine and beyond.
It is expected to bring an end to Hungary's adversarial role within the EU, possibly paving the way for a 90 billion-euro ($105 billion) loan to war-battered Ukraine that was blocked by Orban.
Defeat for Orban could also mean the eventual release of EU funds to Hungary that were suspended due to what Brussels said was Orban's erosion of democratic standards.
"Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the top EU executive, said after partial results were released.
Orban's exit would also deprive Russian President Vladimir Putin of his main ally in the EU and send shockwaves through Western right-wing circles, including the White House.
Decline of 'illiberal democracy'
In Hungary, a Tisza victory could open the way for reforms that the party says would combat corruption and restore the independence of the judiciary and other institutions.
Orban, a eurosceptic, carved out a model of an "illiberal democracy" seen as a blueprint for governing by Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement and its admirers in Europe.
But many Hungarians have grown increasingly weary of him, after three years of economic stagnation and soaring living costs as well as reports of oligarchs close to the government amassing more wealth.
Orban has won public endorsements from the Trump administration — culminating in a visit to Budapest by Vice President JD Vance last week — as well as from the Kremlin and far-right leaders in Europe.
But his campaign has been shaken by media reports alleging his government colluded with Moscow on diplomatic and political matters.
Orban, who denies any wrongdoing, says his goal is to protect Hungary's national identity and traditional Christian values within the EU, and to ensure its security in a dangerous world.
World leaders react
French President Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken to Peter Magyar to congratulate him on his victory.
"I've just spoken with Peter Magyar to congratulate him on his victory in Hungary!" wrote Macron in a post on X.
"France welcomes what has been a victory in terms of people taking part in the democratic process, and a victory which shows the attachment of the Hungarian people to the values of the European Union and for Hungary's role in Europe," added Macron.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, "Hungary, Poland, Europe. Back together! Glorious victory, dear friends!"
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered his congratulations in a post on X: "The Hungarian people have decided. My heartfelt congratulations on your electoral success, dear @magyarpeterMP."
He added: "I am looking forward to working with you. Let's join forces for a strong, secure and, above all, united Europe. Gratulálok, kedves Magyar Péter!"
"I congratulate Peter Magyar and Tisza on their victory in the Hungarian parliamentary elections — a result with great importance to all of Europe," said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere. I look forward to close and constructive cooperation in pursuing peace and stability, democracy and the rule of law on our continent."
The Finnish prime minister, Petteri Orpo, cheered the party's victory. "In democratic elections, the Hungarian people have demonstrated their strong will to be an active member of European Union and NATO," he said. "The election result gives Hungary the opportunity to return to our community of values and security as a constructive actor."
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal offered her congratulations: "Hungarians have made a historic choice for a free and strong Hungary in a united Europe, rejecting forces that ignore their interests.
"I look forward to working together on what unites Estonia, Hungary and Europe."
And Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda called the victory a "big win for Hungary and a "big win for Europe!"
"Congratulations to @magyarpeterMP," she said. "There are a lot of things we could and should do for the sake of democracy, justice and peace."