Budapest, 12 April 2026
Péter Magyar promised accountability and reconciliation and called on state and judicial leaders to resign in his victory speech on Sunday evening, delivered following the election win. Magyar asked Viktor Orbán to involve him in all key decisions during the remaining transition period, and called on Tamás Sulyok to invite him to form a government as soon as possible.
With 96% of votes counted in Sunday’s election, the Tisza Party secured approximately 54% of the party-list vote, while the Fidesz–KDNP alliance, which had governed the country for the past 16 years, finished at around 38%. Tisza won the overwhelming majority of individual constituencies, securing roughly 93 out of 106 seats—although the final outcome may still be influenced by votes cast at foreign missions.
It was already clear on Sunday, however, that Tisza had obtained more than a two-thirds majority of parliamentary mandates, bringing an end to the System of National Cooperation that had defined Hungary’s trajectory for 16 years.
In this historic situation, Magyar delivered a characteristically long speech. Perhaps its most significant element was his call—following his expected nomination to form a government—for the resignation of President Tamás Sulyok. He also called for the departure of what he described as the “pillars of the system,” including:
- the President of the Curia (Supreme Court),
- the President of the Constitutional Court,
- the Prosecutor General,
- the President of the State Audit Office,
- the President of the Competition Authority,
- the President of the Media Authority,
- and the President of the National Office for the Judiciary.
Magyar also urged Viktor Orbán to act only as a caretaker prime minister from election day until the formation of the new government, and “not to make any decisions that would tie the hands of the next government, the Tisza government.” According to Magyar, key decisions should from now on be made by him and the Tisza leadership. As he put it: “If, during what we hope will be a short transition period, any serious issue or decision affecting our nation arises, feel free to contact me—you have my phone number.”
In his speech, Magyar promised accountability, stating that “from now on, we will no longer be a country without consequences,” and pledged that “those who have robbed the country will be held accountable.” He specifically addressed those who had “incited hatred between Hungarians,” arguing that they too must bear responsibility. He promised to establish a National Asset Recovery Office and highlighted that he counts on Police Captain Bence Szabó and Army Captain Szilveszter Pálinkás in this effort.
Magyar also addressed Fidesz supporters directly, saying:
Dear fellow Hungarians who support Fidesz! I know you are disappointed today. I know it is difficult to process defeat, especially a major and deserved defeat. I know you are angry with us—and with me personally—because being in opposition is hard. But here and now, I, Péter Magyar, promise you that I will also be your prime minister, and I will work to heal wounds and help us accept each other, even if we represent different views.”
He also called on Tisza supporters to pursue reconciliation:
Dear 3.3 million Tisza voters, I ask you to begin reconciliation—not with the guilty, but by extending a hand to every Hungarian. From today, there are no better or worse Hungarians, only Hungarians. From today, this country lives again.”
He then quoted József Antall:
I serve, and I will serve as long as it benefits the nation.”
The leader of Tisza firmly reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to membership in the European Union and NATO, and also promised to strengthen and expand the Visegrád alliance. He announced that his first trip would be to Warsaw, his second to Vienna, and his third “to Brussels, to bring home the EU funds that the Hungarian people are entitled to.”
In his speech, Magyar called on Hungarians living abroad to return home in large numbers, as there would be much work to do. He promised that the armed forces, police, and intelligence services would serve exclusively the Hungarian people. He also stated that the state would protect the most vulnerable and support social convergence.
The Tisza Party’s lead candidate added:
Never before in the history of democratic Hungary have so many people voted, and never before has any party received such a strong mandate as Tisza. Thank you for the approximately 3.3 million votes with which you have given us a historic mandate to govern today. You have given us the authority to build a functioning and humane homeland for all of us, for every Hungarian.”
At the beginning and end of his speech, Magyar thanked his family, Tisza activists, volunteers, and everyone who supported the party in the election. According to him, they won against strong headwinds, “like millions of Lúdas Matyis,” despite the ruling party deploying its full apparatus, intelligence services, and spending billions on disinformation campaigns.
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e-translated by ChatGPT, prompted by Insight EU. This English translation is provided for informational purposes only. In the event of any discrepancies or legal interpretations, the original Hungarian version shall prevail and is the only legally binding text.
Source of the Hungarian report: Telex.hu