Nationalist leader Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat in Hungary's general election to his rival Péter Magyar, ending his 16-year-term as prime minister.
Magyar, 45, who leads the pro-European, centre-right Tisza Party, has served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 2024 and is now prime minister-elect in a remarkable turnaround.
He took to Facebook to share that Orbán, a key ally of Vladimir Putin, had conceded his election loss and "congratulated us on our victory" over the phone.
In his statement, Magyar added: "Thank you Hungary!"
Tonight, thousands of young Hungarians are celebrating the election result while filling the streets near the nation’s parliament at Kossuth Lajos square in Budapest.
Several young people have been spotted carrying floating zebra balloons, regarded as a symbol of alleged irregularities under Orbán’s regime.
In a speech to his supporters, Orbán solemnly declared: "The result of the election is clear and painful. We don't have the weight of governing the country so we have to rebuild our communities.
"We never give up, this is one thing people know about us, we never give up. The days ahead of us are for us to heal our wounds."
A record 66% off Hungarians turned out to vote in the general election, with an estimated 900,000 additional voters having their say compared to the last election in 2022.
Orbán’s supporters were seen weeping at the result, while Magyar's Magyar's Tisza party allies were filled with jubilation.
Prime Minister Sir Keir said on X: “Congratulations @MagyarPeterMP on your election victory. This is an historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy.
“I look forward to working with you for the security and prosperity of both our countries.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey wrote on X: “Trump, Putin, Farage… your boy took a hell of a beating.”
European leaders, many of whom have clashed with Orbán’s hard-line politics in the past, were quick to congratulate the new prime minister-elect.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on X: "The Hungarian people have decided. My heartfelt congratulations on your electoral success, dear [Péter Magyar].
"I am looking forward to working with you. Let’s join forces for a strong, secure and, above all, united Europe."
French president Emmanuel Macron also took to X, where he wrote: "I just held a meeting with Péter Magyar to congratulate him on his victory in Hungary! France salutes a victory of democratic participation, of the Hungarian people's attachment to the values of the European Union, and for Hungary in Europe.
"Together, let us advance a more sovereign Europe, for the security of our continent, our competitiveness, and our democracy."
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said: "Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. A country reclaims its European path. The Union grows stronger."
