Observing Hungary’s turning point: inside the 2026 parliamentary elections

On April 12th, Hungary held what many analysts had described as one of the most consequential elections in Europe in recent years. Pre-election polling suggested that Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power could be coming to an end.

His main challenger, Péter Magyar, a former ally within the ruling party Fidesz, had revitalized the previously marginal Tisza party ahead of the last European Parliament elections, where it secured seven seats. The result granted Tisza representatives parliamentary immunity under EU law, a development that later became politically contentious in Hungary’s domestic debate. Relations with Brussels and questions of democratic governance dominated the campaign.

As our delegation from the Danish NGO Silba – Initiative for Dialogue and Democracy, consisting of 40 students and young professionals from 15 nationalities, arrived in Hungary to observe the 2026 parliamentary election across the country, Tisza was aiming to enter the National Assembly of Hungary for the first time and potentially form a government. Political tension was visible from the moment we arrived, with campaign posters lining the streets, political messaging dominating social media, and rallies and campaign events taking place across the country. International journalists were seen all over Budapest and it was clear that all eyes across the European continent were on Budapest.

A historic election with European consequences

The outcome of the election was and is expected to shape Hungary’s future position within EU and Europe, including its relationship with both Brussels and Moscow. The results have therefore attracted significant international attention.

With a historically high voter turnout, Tisza secured an overwhelming parliamentary majority, winning 141 of the 199 seats. The 2026 election showed that the same electoral system long criticized for favouring Fidesz ultimately amplified Tisza’s victory once the political balance shifted.

The result sparked strong reactions both in Hungary and across Europe, with many viewing Orbán’s defeat as a potential turning point in Budapest’s relationship with the European Union.

International election observation

International election observers deployed by Silba were stationed across Hungary to observe the election alongside a record number of other international observers present in the country. Our mission brought together 40 young participants aged 18 to 35, with the aim of assessing the integrity of the electoral process, the management of polling stations on election day, and ultimately contributing recommendations to improve electoral administration ahead of future elections.

Election Observation Missions (EOMs) provide independent assessments of electoral integrity. During our mission, observers accompanied by a local interpreter were deployed in pairs across the country to monitor opening procedures, voting, counting, and the tabulation of results. Teams were generally composed of two observers of different nationalities, genders, backgrounds, and levels of experience. This was done in order to ensure a diversity of perspectives during the observation process.

After receiving accreditation in Budapest, observer teams were deployed to cities, towns, and villages across both urban and rural regions. Over the course of election day, each team typically observed between eight and twelve polling stations.

Polling stations included churches, schools, libraries, petrol stations, or other buildings temporarily repurposed for the election. A core principle of international election observation is non-interference. Observers do not intervene in the process, provide instructions to polling station officials, or attempt to influence proceedings in any way. Their role is to observe and document.

Is all required election material present? Is the ballot box properly sealed? Did the polling station open and close on time? Can voter secrecy be maintained? Are voters properly identified before casting their ballots? Did buses packed with voters arrive at a station? Were there any indications of multiple voting?

Once these and many other questions have been assessed through observation and through dialogue with polling station officials, the team moves on to the next polling station.

Recommendations from the 2022 elections

Silba also deployed observers during Hungary’s 2022 parliamentary elections, after which a series of recommendations were issued that aimed to strengthen electoral transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

The 2022 parliamentary elections resulted in another clear victory for Fidesz. With 54 per cent of the vote, Fidesz secured 67 per cent of the seats in parliament, while the united opposition received 34 per cent of the vote but only 28 per cent of the mandates. As a result, the governing party maintained its qualified majority, allowing it to continue advancing its legislative agenda without the need for coalition partners. In its observation report, Silba noted that the result reflected the disproportional nature of Hungary’s electoral system, which has long been criticized for favouring the ruling party.

The report also identified a number of shortcomings, including problematic electoral practices and weaknesses within the legislative framework. Based on these findings, a number of recommendations were issued, focusing on strengthening media independence, ensuring the impartiality of the electoral commission, criminalizing vote-buying, improving accessibility at polling stations, and safeguarding the secrecy of the vote.

Returning to Hungary four years later for the 2026 elections

Four years after our previous mission, Silba decided to once again deploy an Election Observation Mission for Hungary’s 2026 parliamentary elections.

This year observers reported that voting across the country was generally calm, orderly, and professionally administered. Polling station officials demonstrated a strong understanding of procedures, election materials were available in the majority of cases, and no signs of tension or unrest were observed either inside polling stations or in their immediate surroundings. Official figures also showed a historically high voter turnout, underlining the exceptional political significance of the election.

Yet familiar problems persisted. Around one in three polling stations observed were assessed as either only partly accessible or not accessible at all to voters with disabilities. In some locations, cramped conditions and overcrowding complicated the voting process.

Observers also identified recurring issues related to the secrecy of the vote. Although Hungarian legislation does not require voters to mark their ballots inside voting booths, the electoral authorities remain responsible for ensuring ballot secrecy at all times. In several polling stations, the positioning of voting booths or the behaviour of voters created situations where secrecy could potentially be compromised. Instances of group or family voting were also repeatedly observed throughout the day.

During the count, no indications of deliberate manipulation or falsification were reported. However, in roughly 20 per cent of the polling stations visited, observers were denied access to copies of the official results protocols, despite Hungarian law guaranteeing that right.

For readers interested in exploring Silba’s findings in greater detail, the organization’s final observation report on Hungary’s 2026 parliamentary elections will be published on Silba.dk shortly.

Karolina Boyoli acted as the Logistics Coordinator for Silba’s Hungary 2026 Election Observation Mission. She has a background in International Peace Observation in Colombia.

Viktoria Fuglsang Semenova acted as the Press Coordinator for Silba’s Hungary 2026 Election Observation Mission. She is also the editor-in-chief of Denmark’s biggest magazine on Eastern Europe, Magasinet rØST.

Silba – Initiative for Dialogue and Democracy is a volunteer-driven youth NGO, based in Denmark but with an international scope. Through international projects and election observation missions, we take initiative to make a positive impact on democracy, all over the world, through dialogue, local community engagement and sustainable partnerships. We support democratic participation and the strengthening of civil liberties, and we bring young peoples’ voices to the front. To learn more about us and our work, visit our website Silba.dk.