Orban’s Fidesz Party Wins Majority in Hungary’s EU Elections as New Challenger Emerges
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party won 43 percent of the vote in the European Parliament elections, securing 11 seats, but with reduced support from previous years. The new opposition party, Respect and Freedom, led by Peter Magyar, captured 31 percent of the vote and seven seats, challenging Orban’s dominance. Hungary’s far-right Our Homeland party also gained a seat with 6 percent of the vote.
In Budapest, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s nationalist Fidesz party has maintained the majority in Hungary's European Parliament elections, securing 43 percent of the vote with 55 percent of votes counted.
This result will send 11 delegates to the EU’s legislature but marks a decline from the party's 52 percent support in the 2019 elections, resulting in the loss of two seats.
A record 56 percent voter turnout was recorded.
The new opposition party, Respect and Freedom (TISZA), led by Peter Magyar, garnered 31 percent of the vote, sending seven delegates to Brussels.
Magyar, who split from Fidesz in February, has posed the strongest challenge to Orban to date, capitalizing on dissatisfaction over economic woes and political scandals.
Additionally, Hungary’s far-right Our Homeland party gained 6 percent of the vote, securing a delegate seat for the first time.
Hungary is set to preside over the EU’s rotating presidency starting in July amid Orban’s controversial stance on Ukraine and relations with Russia.