Hungary’s incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orban has conceded defeat in general elections.
“We will serve our nation from opposition,” he said on Sunday.
Earlier, Tisza party leader Peter Magyar said Viktor Orban, who has led the country for 16 years, has conceded defeat in Hungarian parliamentary elections.
"Prime Minister Viktor Orban just called to congratulate us on our victory," Magyar posted on social media, as Magyar's Tisza party stood at 52.49 percent and Fidesz 38.83 percent with 53.45 percent of precincts counted.
Voting ended in Hungary on Sunday in a parliamentary election, with more than 8 million eligible voters casting ballots to elect members of the 199-seat National Assembly.
Polling stations opened at 0400GMT and closed at 1700GMT.
The National Election Office began publishing the first preliminary results after 8 pm (1800GMT).
Hungary recorded an early voter turnout of 74.23 percent as of 1500GMT, with nationwide turnout at that time already surpassing the final turnout of any previous national parliamentary election, according to data released by the National Election Office.
The figure compares with 62.92 percent in the 2022 election, 63.21 percent in 2018, 45.02 percent in 2014, and 46.78 percent in 2010.
Under the electoral system, 106 lawmakers are elected in single-member constituencies, while 93 seats are allocated through national party lists, with a 5 percent threshold required to enter parliament.
A party or alliance that reaches at least 100 seats in the National Assembly will be able to form a government.
The vote comes during Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s long period in power, with his ruling Fidesz party in government since 2010, and facing opposition parties, including several groups.
The main opposition Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, gained support in recent polls.
Several other parties also took part in the election, including the Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party (MKKP), the LMP (Hungary’s Green Party), the Momentum Movement and Jobbik.
