Hungary is holding its most consequential election in decades, with voter turnout surging to a record high. By 3:00 pm local time, over 66% of eligible voters had cast ballots, a significant increase from previous elections.
This vote could mark the end of Viktor Orbán's 16-year premiership. Orbán, the nationalist leader of the hard-right Fidesz party, has been a frequent point of contention with European Union officials. Most recently, he blocked a €90 billion loan for Ukraine.
Opposition leader Péter Magyar, who heads the Tisza party, has pledged to restore Hungary's ties with the EU and NATO. Founded just two years ago, the Tisza party is leading in most opinion polls. Orbán urged his supporters to vote, warning that the country's peace hinges on the outcome. Magyar has dismissed claims that his party is preparing for violence in the event of an election defeat.
US Vice-President JD Vance recently visited Hungary to endorse Orbán and critique the EU, making several claims about the bloc's impact on Hungary's economy and energy independence, which have been fact-checked and found to be misleading.
Péter Magyar has emerged as Orbán's most serious challenger in 16 years, rising to prominence following a scandal involving a presidential pardon. Viktor Orbán's own political journey has been a significant one, transforming from a liberal student activist to a polarizing figure in European politics.