BUDAPEST – Millions of Hungarians are voting today – amid what could be record turnout – in a historic election seen as a moment of truth for Viktor Orbán and European politics.

Donald Trump has thrown his full support behind the Hungarian leader, who has become a model – and Hungary a poster pin-up – for nationalist and conservative politics across Europe.

The result will reverberate far beyond the small central European country with polls showing that Orbán, 62, could be defeated ending his 16 years in power, a tenure unmatched by any other democratically elected leader in Europe.

Casting his vote, Orbán urged Hungarians to “go vote”, as early reports from polling stations indicated turnout could exceed the 2022 record of 70%.

“I am here to win,” he said.

Polling suggests Péter Magyar and his opposition conservative Tisza Party have surged since 2024 to mount a serious challenge to Orbán’s Fidesz.

“No one can seriously think that the Tisza and thus Hungary will not win the election,” Magyar said casting his vote.

Orbán said he would congratulate Magyar if he won. “I always abide by the rules of civilisation,” he said. “The people’s decision must be respected.”

Both camps have accused foreign powers – from the US and Russia to the EU and Ukraine – of interfering with the campaign. In an unusual step JD Vance, the US vice president visited Budapest earlier last week to endorse Orbán at a rally that included an enthusiastic live phone call from Trump.

Across European capitals, hopes are rising that Magyar, who split from Fidesz two years ago, could bring Hungary back into the political mainstream, particularly on Russia and Ukraine.

In a Facebook post, Magyar appealed to Hungarians to cast their vote free of fear or favour, amid reports of voter bribery from both parties. “Everyone will be alone in the voting booth… with their own future, and that of their children and grandchildren,” he said.

“Even if all the rules, all the propaganda support Fidesz and even if the opposition leads by 4 to 6 % or so, they could still win, but we firmly believe that we lead more than just 5%,” he said.

Tanács, a former management consultant, said he joined the party after meeting now-Tisza MEP Zoltán Tarr over coffee, adding that its focus on domestic issues has driven its success.

“Tisza will win because it focuses on Hungary and its people,” he said. “The system doesn’t work, that’s the problem. People want change. They don’t care a lot about Africa, Ukraine, Russia or Washington.”

At a nearby Tisza stand outside Széll Kálmán tér metro station, a passerby briefly disrupted volunteers, shouting insults and warning they would be “crying tomorrow”.

Dániel Kaderják, a 43-year-old lawyer and volunteer, was more upbeat. “I don’t see any scenario where they win,” he said of Fidesz, pointing to strong turnout so far.

“It will be – even in a distorted system – a convincing majority for Tisza,” he predicted.

(cs)