Hungary's Orban will not sit in parliament after election loss

Wait 5 sec.

AdvertisementAdvertisementFILE - Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban, center, on the tribune during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Ireland and Hungary at the Aviva stadium in Dublin, on Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File)26 Apr 2026 03:06AM Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInAdd CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results.Read a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST BUDAPEST: Hungary's outgoing nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban said Saturday (Apr 25) he would step back from parliament after his coalition suffered a crushing election defeat that ended his 16 years in power.Orban lost on Apr 12 to political newcomer, conservative pro-EU Peter Magyar, whose party won a two-thirds parliamentary majority in a vote marked by record turnout in the central European country.The 62-year-old Orban, who has been a continuous presence in Hungary's parliament, the National Assembly, since 1990, has called for a "complete renewal" of his party last week.Commentary: What Viktor Orban’s election loss in Hungary means for Putin, Trump and right-wing populism"Since the seat I won as the lead candidate on the Fidesz-KDNP ticket is, in fact, a parliamentary seat for Fidesz, I have decided to give it back. Right now, I am not needed in Parliament, but in the reorganisation of the national camp," Orban said in a Facebook video after a meeting by Fidesz party's executive committee.Show MoreShow LessHe said that he was ready to stay on as president of Fidesz if that's what the party decides during its congress in June.Magyar, who won on a promise of "regime change", has accused Orban of cowardice."The 'brave' street fighter is still incapable of one thing: taking responsibility…With a mafia boss (in charge) there can be no democratic opposition," the incoming prime minister said on Facebook.Hungary's National Assembly is scheduled to hold its inaugural session on May 9th, when the newly elected lawmakers will take their oath of office.Magyar's Tisza party won 141 mandates, while Orban's Fidesz-KDNP got 52 seats, with far-right Our Homeland got 6 seats in the 199-member National Assembly.Source: AFP/fsSign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST