Orban Admits Responsibility For Fidesz's Electoral Failure

• 17.04.2026, 13:56

Hungary's prime minister acknowledged that his opponent Péter Magyar's message to voters was stronger.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in his first interview since his election defeat that he recognizes his full responsibility for the result that moved his Fidesz party into opposition.

This is reported by 24.hu.

The Hungarian prime minister admitted that the message to voters of his opponent, Tisza leader Peter Magyar, was stronger than that of Fidesz, which is why his political force lost the election.

When asked by a journalist whether he did not foresee his defeat, Orban said he was confident of his party's victory.

"If I had seen that, I would not have campaigned like that. I thought we were going to win.... This defeat is very painful because everyone gave everything they could," he told pro-government media outlet Patriota.

The Hungarian prime minister also said that this "political era in Hungary is over" but made it clear he would not step down as party leader.

Orban said the defeat calls for a complete renewal of Fidesz and right-wing forces in general, announcing a reorganization of the party's leadership and its representation in parliament. A Fidesz party meeting is scheduled for April 28.

"If my party tells me to sit in the back row, I will do it.... If they tell me to put the team on the field, I will do it," Orban added.