Hungarians vote in hard-fought election that could oust Viktor Orbán after 16 years

<p>Rightwing leader trails in polls to Péter Magyar, despite support from JD Vance on recent visit</p><p>Hungarians are heading to the ballot boxes to vote in a landmarkparliamentary election that could oust Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power and potentially reshape the central European country’s relations with the EU, Moscow and Washington.</p><p>During the campaign, Orbán – the EU’s longest-serving leader – has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/11/zebras-wealth-and-power-hungarys-election-tests-orbans-grip-on-power">trailed in the polls</a> as he faces an unprecedented challenge from Péter Magyar, a former <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/10/peter-magyar-leading-polls-hungary-election-tisza-opposition">elite member</a> of Orbán’s Fidesz party.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/12/hungarians-vote-in-hard-fought-election-that-could-oust-viktor-orban-after-16-years">Continue reading...</a>