Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, has conceded defeat amid counting of election votes on Sunday, congratulating ?his centre-right challenger Peter Magyar.

The outcome of this year’s election marks the end of Mr Orban’s16-year rule.

Mr Orban on Sunday at Budapest told his supporters that, “Election results, although not complete, are understandable and clear. They are painful for us but unequivocal. Voters did not give us the responsibility and ability to govern.”

Congratulating Mr Magyar, the defeated prime minister said, “We don’t have the weight of governing the country, so we have to rebuild our communities.

“We never give up, this is one thing people know about us, we never give up. The days ahead of us are for us to heal our wounds.”

About 66 per cent of votes counted so far showed that the opposition Tisza party is leading and on course to win 137 seats, more than a two-thirds majority constiuonal requirement 

Mr Orban-led party, Fidesz, is projected to win just 55, less than two-thirds majority.

Mr Magyar, a former Mr Orban loyalist, quit the ruling party in 2024.

Mr Orban is an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance was sent to Budapest on Tuesday to boost Mr Orban’s campaign few days before the poll. Mr Vance during his speech made some favourable remarks about Orban’s capacity to continue piloting the affairs of the European country.