Mr Orban and his top challenger, Peter Magyar, arrived at separate polling stations in Budapest on Sunday at nearly the same time to cast their votes. Speaking to reporters outside, Mr Orban, 62, said the campaign had been “a great national moment on our side” and thanked activists and supporters for their work. Mr Magyar has rapidly risen to become Mr Orban’s most serious challenger. A former insider within Mr Orban’s Fidesz, Mr Magyar broke with the party in 2024 and quickly formed Tisza. Mr Magyar has said the election is a “referendum” on whether Hungary continues on its drift towards Russia under Mr Orban, or can retake its place among the democratic societies of Europe.

Source: Irish Examiner April 12, 2026 07:36 UTC