Voter turnout in Hungary’s parliamentary elections reached a historic 74.2% by 5:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, April 12, according to the National Election Office (NVI).
A total of 5,587,935 citizens had cast their ballots two hours before the polls were scheduled to close. The highest participation rate was recorded in the Győr-Moson-Sopron district at 78.19%, while the capital, Budapest, saw a massive turnout of 77.2%. The lowest participation was noted in the Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén district, where 68.1% of voters turned out.
The surge in participation follows a day of record-breaking numbers. By 9:00 a.m., turnout had already reached 16.9%, nearly 7 percentage points higher than in 2022. Analysts suggest the high activity in urban centers like Budapest could be a significant factor for the opposition, led by former government insider Peter Magyar, who has promised a “system change” and a return to a pro-European course.
The election day has been marked by high tension and accusations of misconduct. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party accused Magyar’s Tisza party of attempting to buy votes from the Roma community, while the opposition has highlighted the stakes of the election for Hungary’s future in the EU.
As polling stations across more than 10,000 locations prepare to close at 7:00 p.m., the global community remains focused on the results. US President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Orban, while European leaders are watching closely to see if Budapest will shift away from its “thorn” status regarding sanctions and Ukraine aid.
Final results are expected to emerge on Sunday evening, determining whether Orbán will secure a fifth consecutive term or if Magyar’s rising movement will pull off an unprecedented victory.