Historic Political Shift in Hungary: Viktor Orbán Ousted After 16 Years

In a dramatic turn of events, Viktor Orbán has been ousted from power after 16 years, following a historic parliamentary election in Hungary. Péter Márki-Zay's conservative party achieved a remarkable victory, securing over two-thirds of the parliamentary seats. This shift reflects a strong desire for change among the Hungarian electorate, with a record voter turnout of 77.8%. Orbán graciously accepted his defeat, while international leaders, including India's Prime Minister Modi, congratulated Márki-Zay on his success. This election marks a pivotal moment in Hungary's political history, paving the way for potential constitutional changes and a new era of governance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 13, 2026, 13:51 IST

A New Era Begins in Hungarian Politics

Today marks a significant turning point in Hungary's political landscape as Viktor Orbán, the prominent nationalist leader who has held power for the past 16 years, has finally been dethroned. In a landmark parliamentary election, conservative leader Péter Márki-Zay not only removed Orbán from power but also led his party, the Together Party, to secure over two-thirds of the seats in parliament, creating a new historical precedent. With a total of 199 seats in the parliament, Márki-Zay's party is projected to occupy 137 seats. This overwhelming victory empowers the opposition coalition to amend the constitution independently. The Hungarian populace demonstrated a strong desire for change, reflected in a record voter turnout of 77.8%, the highest in decades. Following the election results, Orbán graciously acknowledged his defeat.

Orbán's Exit After 16 Years

During Orbán's tenure, relations had deteriorated. Following Márki-Zay's surprising victory, European leaders extended their congratulations and praised him. As the vote counting reached 77%, Márki-Zay's party garnered over 53% of the votes, while Orbán's ruling Fidesz party received 38%. This electoral outcome is a significant blow to Orbán, who has been considered a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Orbán has accepted the election results.

PM Modi Congratulates Márki-Zay on His Victory

On Monday, Prime Minister Modi congratulated Péter Márki-Zay on his impressive victory in Hungary's parliamentary elections. Modi expressed his eagerness to collaborate in strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing the crucial strategic partnership between India and the European Union. The opposition Together Party, leaning towards the right, saw Márki-Zay defeat the current Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the elections held on Sunday. In a post on X, Modi extended heartfelt congratulations to Márki-Zay and the Together Party for their remarkable electoral success. He emphasized that India and Hungary are bound by a close friendship, shared values, and unwavering respect for one another. Modi stated his enthusiasm for working together to enhance bilateral cooperation and promote shared prosperity and welfare for the people, while also advancing the important strategic partnership between India and the European Union.