Péter Magyar is moving fast to take over Hungary after Orbán's stunning defeat

In a political earthquake that's reverberating across Europe, Péter Magyar and his Tisza party have swept into power in Hungary, ending Viktor Orbán's long grip on government. The election results, confirmed Friday morning, show Tisza winning a two-thirds majority in the 199-seat parliament - a mandate that allows constitutional changes and signals a dramatic public rebuke of Orbán's illiberal model.

Turnout was extraordinary - nearly 80%, the highest since the fall of communism - with long lines at polling stations both in cities and rural areas. Many voters said they were motivated by frustration over corruption, shrinking press freedom, and Hungary's isolation from key EU partners. Now, Magyar isn't waiting to get to work. Transition teams have already begun meeting, and draft legislation to restore judicial independence and restructure state media is under review.

Magyar, a former prosecutor turned anti-corruption campaigner, ran on a platform of institutional renewal and European reintegration. Though he kept a relatively low public profile during the campaign, his message gained traction through grassroots organizing and viral social media outreach, especially among younger voters. His team has emphasized that restoring trust in public institutions will be their first priority.

One of the new government's earliest moves is expected to be appointing new leadership at Hungary's public broadcasters, which have long served as mouthpieces for Fidesz. They're also preparing to reverse emergency powers that allowed Orbán to rule by decree during various crises, a practice critics called authoritarian.

Brussels welcomed the results cautiously. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Magyar and said she looked forward to Hungary "returning as a full and constructive partner" in EU affairs. Hungary had been locked in repeated standoffs with the bloc over rule-of-law concerns, leading to the freezing of billions in EU funds.

Still, challenges loom. Orbán's Fidesz party remains the largest opposition force, and many state institutions are deeply entrenched with loyalists. Some legal experts warn that dismantling the existing power structure could face delays and resistance from within the bureaucracy.

Even so, the mood among Tisza supporters is one of cautious optimism. In Budapest's Kossuth Square, where crowds gathered late Thursday night, people waved blue and white flags and chanted, "This is what democracy looks like." For many, the election wasn't just about changing leaders - it was about reclaiming a political system they felt had slipped away.