Hungary's 2026 parliamentary elections set for 12 April

President Tamás Sulyok has set the date for Hungary's tenth parliamentary elections since the change of regime took place. As expected, the President of the Republic chose the first possible date under the law, April 12, 2026.

"The right to free elections is one of the cornerstones of democracy. I encourage everyone to exercise it!" Sulyok wrote in his Facebook post.

According to the law, the election must be held on a Sunday in April or May, and the date of the vote cannot fall on a public holiday, Easter Sunday, or Pentecost Sunday. Usually, the election is scheduled for the first possible date, which this year will be April 12, one week after Easter Sunday (April 5).

Individual candidates and organizations submitting lists of candidates can now register their intention to run with the National Election Committee (NVB). Voters residing in Hungary will soon be notified of their inclusion in the register. After the election date has been set, adult Hungarian citizens living outside Hungary's borders who do not have a Hungarian address will be notified and invited to register, and they will also be entered in the register of foreign representatives. The official campaign period will begin 50 days before the election, on February 21. From this date onwards, election posters may be displayed.

National lists must be submitted no later than 37 days before the election, i.e. by March 7. The leaders of the major parties are already known:

• Fidesz: Viktor Orbán;
• Tisza Party: Péter Magyar;
• Mi Hazánk: László Toroczkai;
• Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party (MKKP) : Dávid Nagy;
• Democratic Coalition (DK): Klára Dobrev.

The question is whether any other parties besides these will be able to compile lists. Jobbik and MSZP have already indicated their intention to do so, while Momentum has decided not to run in the election in order to help bring about regime change.