Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat in Hungary's parliamentary elections, ending more than 16 years of dominance by his Fidesz party. With nearly 97% of votes counted, the opposition Tisza party led by Péter Magyar was projected to win 138 out of 199 seats — a two-thirds majority enabling constitutional changes.

In a victory speech to a huge crowd in Budapest, Magyar declared: "Together, we liberated Hungary and got rid of the Orbán regime." Fidesz's seats collapsed to 54 from 133 in 2022. Orbán told supporters his party would serve "from opposition as well." The result marks a dramatic reversal for Europe's most prominent nationalist leader.

The defeat is a setback for both US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who counted Orbán as their closest European ally. Magyar has promised to repair relations with the EU, including unblocking a €90bn EU loan for Ukraine — a move that will be celebrated in European capitals where frustration with Orbán's obstructionism had intensified.