Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and challenger Péter Magyar have cast their ballots in Budapest as voters turned out in large numbers. Orbán voted in the late morning north of the capital, in the area of Zsámbék near Szentendre, while Magyar voted earlier in the morning at a polling station in Budapest’s central V District, at the heart of the city.
Speaking after voting, Orbán said the election was about protecting what Hungary had built over the past decade and a half. Magyar described the vote as a choice between remaining aligned with the EU or continuing as a political outlier.
The vote, taking place across a country of 9.5 million people, is closely watched in Europe as it could shift Hungary’s stance within the EU. Early turnout figures from the National Election Office pointed to participation near 75 percent, a potential record. Orban cast his ballot in Budapest, while Magyar urged voters to back what he called a “system change”.
Opinion polls published in early April placed Magyar’s Tisza party ahead, reflecting growing frustration over economic stagnation and governance concerns. The campaign has been marked by accusations of foreign interference from both sides, with visits from US officials including Vice President JD Vance. Analysts say the final result may take days to confirm if the race is close, with full counting expected by next Saturday. The outcome will influence Hungary’s relations with Brussels and its position on migration, energy and ties with Russia.