Record turnout in Hungary as voters weigh change against Orban’s rule

A man looks at his ballot at a polling station during the Hungarian parliamentary election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, 12 April 2026. AP - Denes Erdos

Turnout in Hungary's closely watched parliamentary polls hit a record high on Sunday, as voters flocked to participate in a ballot that could end nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban's 16-year rule.

Polls opened acros Hungary at 6 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m. local time, with initial results expected Sunday night. Orban and his top challenger, Peter Magyar, arrived at separate polling stations in Budapest at nearly the same time to cast their votes.