ZH
IT
DE
Here are the parties competing in Hungary 2026 Parliamentary Election
Preparations for the 12 April Hungary 2026 Parliamentary Election have entered a more visible phase, with the official registration of political parties under way and election notifications beginning to reach voters.
12 parties registered so far, the former communist state party MSZP is still missing
As of Wednesday morning, the National Election Office (NVI) has officially registered 12 political parties to compete in the upcoming election.
Among the well-known parties already on the list are:
- Democratic Coalition (DK)
- Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Alliance
- Christian Democratic People’s Party (KDNP)
- Jobbik
- Mi Hazánk
- Tisza Party
- Hungarian Workers’ Party
In addition, several smaller or less widely known parties have also been registered, including the Alliance for Civilians, the Home Protection Real Estate Party, the Social Democrats, the Free Country Movement, and the Tea Party Community.
Notably absent from the registry so far is the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), the successor of Hungary’s former state socialist party. This comes despite recent statements from party co-chair Imre Komjáthi, who publicly denied media reports suggesting that MSZP would sit out the 2026 elections, saying that “no such decision has been made”.
At the same time, senior MSZP figure István Hiller has already registered with the NVI as an independent candidate. Hiller announced last week that he will once again run in his long-held single-member constituency in Budapest’s 20th district (Pesterzsébet), which he has won five times previously.
If you want to explore this topic further:
Latest polls – Strong Orbán numbers, weak party showing: Tisza stays ahead of Fidesz
Hungary 2026 Parliamentary Election: Election notifications begin reaching voters
Parallel to party registration, the administrative side of the election is also progressing. Based on voter roll data as of 4 February, the National Election Office has begun mailing official election notifications to eligible voters.
The notices are being sent both by post and — for those with an official electronic mailbox — digitally. Distribution is expected to be completed by 20 February.
The notification does not determine voting eligibility but provides key practical information, including:
- confirmation of voter registration,
- the address and number of the assigned polling station,
- the date and hours of voting,
- acceptable forms of identification, and
- deadlines and procedures for election-related applications.
Voters who do not receive a notification may request one from their local election office, although possession of the notice is not required in order to vote.
Campaign Phase Taking Shape
With party registration under way and voter notifications being distributed, the procedural framework of Hungary’s 2026 parliamentary election is now clearly taking shape. The coming weeks are expected to clarify whether additional parties — including MSZP — will complete registration, and how candidate line-ups will ultimately look ahead of the April vote.
As we wrote before, poll-leader Tisza Party vows swift euro adoption in Hungary
FAQ: Hungary’s 2026 Parliamentary Election Explained
How many seats are there in the Hungarian parliament?
Hungary’s parliament, the National Assembly of Hungary, has 199 seats in total.
106 seats are filled in single-member constituencies (individual candidates).
93 seats are allocated from the national party lists.
How are MPs elected: list or individual vote?
Voters cast two votes:
one for an individual candidate in their local constituency, and
one for a national party list.
The individual mandates are decided by a first-past-the-post system, while list seats are distributed proportionally among parties that pass the 5% threshold nationwide.
How many rounds are there in the election?
Hungary’s parliamentary election is held in one single round only.
There is no second round, unlike in some other European countries.
Who can form a government after the election?
The party or coalition that secures a majority (at least 100 seats) in parliament can form a government.
The Prime Minister is elected by the National Assembly.
A coalition government is possible if no single party wins an outright majority.
Who can vote, and where do people vote?
Voting rights apply to:
Hungarian citizens aged 18 or over on election day.
Where people vote depends on their status:
Residents in Hungary vote at their assigned local polling station.
Citizens living abroad with a Hungarian address can vote in person at embassies or consulates.
Citizens without a Hungarian address may vote by post, if they have registered in advance.
Voters do not need the official election notice to vote, but must present valid identification.