Elections in Hungary live: polling stations have closed, record participation

04/12/2026 – 7:24 p.m.

Non-definitive participation at 6:30 p.m.: 77.80%

The polling stations closed at 7:00 p.m., with a not yet definitive participation of 77.80% at 6:30 p.m., well exceeding the previous record of 70.5% established during the 2002 legislative elections.

Since no institute plans exit polls, the results will only be known as the counting progresses, which begins at the end of the election.

7.5 million voters were called to the polls in the country, as well as the other 500,000 registered abroad.

04/12/2026 – 7:22 p.m.

Non-definitive participation at 6:30 p.m.: 77.80%

The polling stations closed at 7:00 p.m., with a not yet definitive turnout of 77.80 at 6:30 p.m., well exceeding the previous record of 70.5% established during the 2002 legislative elections.

Since no institute plans exit polls, the results will only be known as the counting progresses, which begins at the end of the election.

7.5 million voters were called to the polls in the country, as well as the other 500,000 registered abroad.

04/12/2026 – 7:00 p.m.

Viktor Orban is also supported by Vladimir Putin’s Russia

During the campaign, uA consortium of Eastern European media revealed that Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto provided “direct line” to Moscow, notably via his counterpart Sergei Lavrov, “strategic information on crucial issues”, on the sidelines of meetings in Brussels, notably a document concerning Ukraine’s accession negotiations to the EU.

Find here our article on the close relations between Viktor Orban and Vladimir Putin: “Hungary: the election that scares Vladimir Putin? »

04/12/2026 – 6:50 p.m.

Donald Trump’s unequivocal US support for Viktor Orban

The vice president JD Vance came to Budapest this week praise the merits of Viktor Orban and criticize the interference of “Brussels bureaucrats”. Trump himself multiplied the messages on Friday, promising to put the “economic power” of the United States at the service of Viktor Orban.

04/12/2026 – 6:44 p.m.

🔎 Read again: An electoral system tailor-made to benefit the Orban camp

Despite a comfortable lead in the polls, Peter Magyar’s Tisza party is far from assured of winning a parliamentary majority in Sunday’s legislative elections in Hungary. In question, an electoral system very favorable to Viktor Orban’s Fidesz and institutions which work for the camp of the outgoing Prime Minister.

Find this article here: “Legislative elections in Hungary: a tailor-made system to benefit the Orban camp”

04/12/2026 – 6:32 p.m.

End of reign or fifth term for Viktor Orban?

In power for 16 years, Viktor Orban is facing the closest election of his long political career. Elected Prime Minister for the first time in 2002, Viktor Orbán returned to power in 2010 with a very large victory. His party, Fidesz, and its allies obtained a two-thirds majority in Parliament.



Re-elected very largely in 2014, 2018 and 2022, this time he was left behind in the polls by Peter Magyar’s Tisza party.

04/12/2026 – 6:01 p.m.

🔎 Read again: “War or peace”: Orban brandishes Ukraine as a scarecrow before crucial elections

The war erected as an electoral argument. A few weeks before a decisive election, Viktor Orban is intensifying his attacks against Ukraine, to the point of making kyiv the central enemy of his campaign. Accusations of conspiracy, energy blackmail and alarmist scenarios: the Hungarian leader is playing the fear card to try to retain power.



Find this article here: “War or peace: Orban brandishes Ukraine as a scarecrow before crucial elections”

04/12/2026 – 5:48 p.m.

The war in Ukraine at the center of the campaign

During a very tense campaign, Viktor Orban increased attacks against Ukraine, to the point of designating the kyiv government as an enemy. Accusations of conspiracy, energy blackmail and alarmist scenarios: the Hungarian leader played the fear card to try to retain power, wanting to transform the vote into a choice between war or peace.

04/12/2026 – 5:26 p.m.

The atmosphere in a polling station in Budapest

In a polling station in Budapest, the Hungarian capital, which is rather favorable to the opposition, the France 24 special correspondent noted a desire for change among the young voters he met this Sunday

04/12/2026 – 5:12 p.m.

Update at 5 p.m.:

At 3 p.m., a record participation of 66% was recorded, compared to 52.75% in 2022 according to the National Electoral Office.7.5 million voters are called to the polls in the country, as well as the other 500,000 registered abroad.



Polling stations will close at 7 p.m. Since no institute is planning exit polls, the results will only be known as the counting progresses.

04/12/2026 – 4:58 p.m.

Good morning !

Welcome to this live broadcast devoted to the results of the legislative elections in Hungary which are taking place this Sunday