Record early turnout as Hungary votes in high-stakes election

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Prime Minister Viktor Orban is facing the most serious threat to his power in decades

Published 12 Apr, 2026 04:00 | Updated 12 Apr, 2026 11:05

Turnout in Hungary’s parliamentary election has surpassed a record 37%, as polling stations opened nationwide on Sunday in one of Europe’s most consequential votes this year, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban facing his strongest challenge since returning to power in 2010.

The vote could determine not only who governs Hungary next, but also how far Budapest continues to resist Brussels on issues ranging from Ukraine and sanctions to migration and rule-of-law disputes.

Orban and his ruling Fidesz alliance are being challenged by Peter Magyar and his insurgent Tisza party, which has surged in the polls after campaigning on corruption, public services and restoring ties with the European Union. Independent polling summarized by AP suggests Tisza entered election day with momentum, though the race is still expected to be tight because of Fidesz’s entrenched rural support and the advantages Orban enjoys from incumbency and Hungary’s electoral system.

The stakes extend well beyond Hungary. Orban has spent years frustrating EU partners with his stance on Russia, sanctions and military support for Ukraine, making this election a closely watched test for Brussels as well as for Orban’s allies on the international right.

Both Magyar and Orban cast their ballots in Budapest early in the morning. Orban told reporters he is “here to win.” Asked about his 16 years in power and any regrets, he replied, “Thank you very much, I’m fine,” adding the campaign brought “many uplifting moments” and opportunities to meet voters.

Magyar also struck a confident tone, insisting that “no one can seriously think that the Tisza, and thus Hungary, will not win the election.”

The election is taking place on a single day for all 199 seats in Hungary’s National Assembly, with results expected to start coming in after polls close at 7pm.

Follow our live coverage below for continuous updates.

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12 April 2026

10:34 GMT

Viktor Orban has warned the EU to respect Hungary’s election outcome, responding to a question from an RT correspondent in Budapest about reported plans to strip the country of voting rights in the European Council in case he and his party win.

“They have to accept the will and the opinion of the Hungarian people. They cannot disrespect the Hungarian people. They have to respect their decision,” Orban said.

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions between Budapest and Brussels, where some officials have floated using Article 7 procedures — a mechanism that could suspend a member state’s voting rights over rule-of-law concerns — though such a step would require broad consensus among EU countries and has never been fully implemented.

10:34 GMT

Hungarian expats are turning out in large numbers in The Hague, where local media footage shows long lines outside a polling station at the country’s foreign mission.

More than 6,000 Hungarians are registered to vote in the Dutch city – one of the largest expatriate hubs – with turnout reaching 45% by 11:30 AM local time (10:00 GMT). Voters were seen lining up for up to two hours, with lines stretching into a nearby park, though families with small children were allowed to move ahead.

10:20 GMT

Reporter Chay Bowes, covering Hungary’s election from Budapest, has described the vote as a pivotal moment for the country while questioning Western narratives around Orban.

Bowes highlights skepticism among some Europeans over policies such as cutting Russian energy ties, while also criticizing Western governments’ broader foreign policy, particularly ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Bowes sees the Hungarian election as part of a wider geopolitical divide, suggesting the outcome could have implications beyond Hungary.

10:19 GMT

Hungarian media reports long lines at polling stations across the country, including station No. 076 in Zuglo – a district in Budapest – where voters registered to cast ballots gathered outside Szent Istvan High School.

10:06 GMT

Belgian politician Tom Van Grieken, the leader of the right-wing Vlaams Belang party, has expressed support for Viktor Orban, describing Hungary’s election as “a modern version of David against Goliath.”

“Viktor Orban against Peter Magyar. A prime minister who stands by his people and who is against war and open borders,” he wrote on X. “On the other side is an opportunist who is backed by the entire EU propaganda machine, by figures like George Soros and by foreign financiers.”

Van Grieken said, “today the Hungarians are deciding not only the future of Hungary, but also that of the EU,” adding that he “unconditionally” backs Orban.

09:52 GMT

Voter turnout has reached a new record of 37.98% by 11:00 AM local time (09:00 GMT), marking a sharp rise from 16.89% at 09:00 (07:00 GMT) and 3.46% at 07:00 (05:00 GMT), the latter already nearly double the level seen four years ago.

Analysts say the 11:00 figure is a significant indicator of total turnout, with expectations of it potentially reaching 75-80%.

Earlier, Orban welcomed the high participation, saying it was “a good thing – the more of us [voting] the better.”

09:48 GMT

Viktor Orban has said he would congratulate Peter Magyar if he wins the election, speaking to reporters after casting his ballot in Budapest.

Asked directly whether he would acknowledge a Magyar victory, Orban replied “yes,” while offering brief answers to other questions, including saying it would take a “big” defeat for him to consider stepping down as Fidesz leader.

09:28 GMT

Hungarians are also voting abroad, with reports of strong turnout at polling stations in several European cities.

Media reports cite large crowds outside a small voting station in Barcelona; images shared online show a long line at a polling station in Malaga, Spain, suggesting high turnout among expatriate voters.

09:27 GMT

More than 39,000 delegates have been registered across Hungary’s 10,047 vote-counting committees, according to the National Election Office, allowing parties and candidates to monitor the process.

Tisza deployed the largest number with nearly 20,000 delegates, followed by Fidesz-KDNP alliance with about 17,000, and the rest assigned by smaller parties and independents.

08:58 GMT

Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party says it has received hundreds of reports of alleged election violations, with MEP Csaba Domotor stating that “639 cases of electoral violations were found, and 74 police reports are pending.”

Speaking to reporters, he stressed the need to act “against attempted electoral fraud related to the Tisza party.” The claims have not been independently verified.

Earlier, Tisza leader Peter Magyar also alleged irregularities, saying his party had received dozens of reports — though those claims likewise remain unconfirmed.

12 April 2026

08:51 GMT

Turnout in Hungary’s election reached a record 16.89% by 9:00 AM local time (07:00 GMT), with around 1.27 million voters casting ballots – the highest early turnout since 1990.

Analyst Gabor Torok said turnout exceeding 70-75% could benefit the Tisza party in the contest with Fidesz, while potentially hurting smaller parties. He noted, however, that turnout alone is not a reliable predictor: Past elections have seen both Fidesz losses and landslide wins under similarly high turnout.

08:32 GMT

Orban has said he expects Ukraine to reopen the Druzhba oil pipeline immediately after Hungary’s election, responding to a question from RIA Novosti.

The prime minister earlier accused Kiev of effectively imposing an “oil blockade” on Hungary by cutting off Russian supplies via the pipeline in January, citing supposed damage from a Russian drone strike. Budapest rejected Ukraine’s claims that the disruption was caused by Russian strikes, arguing that Vladimir Zelensky’s government is deliberately trying to trigger an energy crisis to influence Hungary’s election.

07:56 GMT

Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party has filed a complaint against Magyar’s Tisza over alleged vote buying targeting Roma voters, citing an audio recording it says suggests plans to distribute subsidies disguised as donations.

According to Fidesz, the recording features Attila Stefan, chief of staff to Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, discussing assistance for “needy Roma voters,” which the party says amounts to a potential crime against the electoral system. The allegations have not been independently verified.

The Roma are Europe’s largest ethnic minority, present across Central and Eastern Europe, including Hungary.

07:56 GMT

Turnout in Hungary’s parliamentary election reached 10.31% by 9:23 AM local time (07:23 GMT).

Earlier, turnout stood at 3.46% at 7:00 AM local time (05:00 GMT) – a record figure, nearly double the level seen four years ago.

07:49 GMT

Both Magyar and Orban have cast their ballots in the capital, Budapest.

Orban voted in Budapest’s single-member 4th constituency, telling reporters he is “here to win.” Asked about his 16 years in power and any regrets, he replied, “Thank you very much, I’m fine,” adding that the campaign brought “many uplifting moments” and opportunities to meet voters.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban casts his vote at a polling station in Budapest, April 12, 2026. © Getty Images / Arpad Kurucz/Anadolu

Magyar cast his ballot in Budapest’s 3rd constituency in the Hegyvidek area, also striking a confident tone. “No one can seriously think that the Tisza, and thus Hungary, will not win the election,” he said. He added that his party has received around 60 reports of alleged voting irregularities, though the claims have not been independently verified.

Tisza Party leader Peter Magyar casts his vote at a polling station in Budapest, April 12, 2026. © Getty Images / Jakub Porzycki/Anadolu

07:25 GMT

Magyar has urged voters to turn out in what he called a “fateful election,” calling it a decisive moment for Hungary’s future and contrasting his platform with the current system.

“The fateful election has begun, on which the fate of our beloved homeland will be decided for a long time to come,” he wrote in a post on X minutes after the vote began, calling on supporters to “change the system peacefully” by voting for the Tisza party.

Magyar presented the choice in sweeping terms: “East or West,” “corruption or clean public life,” and “war madness or true peace.”

Orban has dismissed these characterizations, maintaining that Hungary is already pursuing a sovereign, pragmatic course, balancing relations between East and West while prioritizing stability, economic security, and a negotiated end to the Ukraine conflict.

07:16 GMT

Reporter Chay Bowes has published an investigation into Orban’s opponent, Peter Magyar, questioning why a series of allegations about the candidate have received little attention in Western and EU media coverage.

Bowes points to claims surrounding Magyar’s past, including his rise during his marriage to former Justice Minister Judith Varga, as well as allegations of domestic abuse, substance use, and erratic behavior cited in past reports and by associates. He also raises questions about alleged insider trading linked to business roles Magyar held, and his use of private recordings of his ex-wife in launching his political career.

Bowes questions why, despite these issues, Magyar has been widely promoted by EU-backed opposition groups as a reform candidate ahead of the election.

07:04 GMT

Orban has thanked Trump for his endorsement ahead of the election, pledging to “continue working together to strengthen our economies and ensure the prosperity of our peoples.”

“America stands with us. Hungary is proud to be a great ally... Thank you for your support, Mr. President,” he wrote on X.

07:03 GMT

Longtime Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik has also backed Orban, writing on X: “I wish my dear friend [Orban] the best of luck and success in the upcoming elections.”

Dodik said he is confident the Hungarian people “will once again recognize the strength of a policy that safeguards sovereignty, stability, and the future of their country.”

Both Orban and Dodik advocate close ties with Russia, with Dodik arguing that the West used Ukraine “to provoke a war” with Moscow.

06:37 GMT

Dutch right-wing Freedom Party (PVV) leader Geert Wilders has backed Orban, pledging his support in a post on X.

“[Orban’s] brave and fierce resistance to illegal immigration and woke nonsense is an example for the rest of Europe!” he wrote.

Orban and Wilders share a long-standing political and personal alliance rooted in their anti-immigration and Euroskeptic views. Wilders’ PVV is part of the ‘Patriots for Europe’ group in the European Parliament, an alliance co-founded by Orban in 2024 to unite sovereignist forces across the bloc.

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Record early turnout as Hungary votes in high-stakes election

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