Hungarians are voting in the most consequential election in decades, as veteran leader Viktor Orbán faces a serious challenge from opposition leader Péter Magyar amid allegations of foreign interference and a tense campaign.
The election is being closely watched across Europe, the US and Russia wuth consequences for the European Union and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Orbán, who has governed since 2010, faces the most significant challenge of his political career under former ally Péter Magyar.
The campaign marked by personal attacks, harassment and isolated incidents of violence, and many analysts describe the vote as a referendum on 16 years of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s rule.
Recent surveys suggested a strong lead for Tisza in a historic shift.
Orbán is one of the most important figures in Hungary’s modern political history.
He co-founded Fidesz during the collapse of communism and rose to prominence in 1989 after calling for the withdrawal of Soviet troops.
Since returning to power in 2010, he has reshaped Hungary’s constitution, institutions and media landscape.
In the world he as emerged as symbol of the hard-right, known for his hostility to migration and frequent clashes with EU institutions and friendship with Russia.
Magyar broke with the government in 2024 following a scandal linked to the pardon of a convict in a child sexual abuse case. He founded the Tisza Party the same year and won 30% of the vote in the European Parliament elections the same year.
He has campaigned at a grassroots level, traveling to small towns and rural areas, where support has steadily grown.
Analysts say that he is the only credible challenger to emerge since 2010.
