Record early turnout as Hungary votes in high-stakes election (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

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.

• 12 April 2026

  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.

  🚨 I’m in Hungary for the election where its the last chance saloon for common sense 🚨So we take a look at the increasing lack of it across the World. Big Viktor is basically preventing WW3 here in Europe, but that doesn’t stop Lindsey and Co trying to start it.Enjoy. pic.twitter.com/ckB9c01xA4

  — Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) April 12, 2026

• 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.

  🇭🇺🗳️ Vandaag een moderne versie van David tegen Goliath. @PM_ViktorOrban tegen Peter Magyar.Een premier die aan de kant van zijn volk staat en die tegen oorlog en open grenzen is.Aan de andere kant een opportunist die gesteund wordt door de ganse EU-propagandamachine, door… pic.twitter.com/oVQ1UQqP4p

  — Tom Van Grieken (@tomvangrieken) April 12, 2026

• 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.

• 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. 

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