Viktor Orbán's 16-Year Rule Ends as Péter Magyar Wins Hungary Election

Viktor Orbán's era as Hungary's leader came to a dramatic end after 16 years in power. Péter Magyar, 45, led his Tisza party to a landslide victory in Sunday's election, defeating the man who had dominated Hungarian politics since 2010.

Magyar is no ordinary opposition candidate. He's a former insider who once worked within Orbán's political circle before breaking away to challenge his former ally. At 45, he represents a new generation of Hungarian leadership.

Orbán stayed silent for days after his crushing defeat. He finally spoke Thursday in a YouTube interview, admitting "This is the end of an era." The beaten leader had tried to appeal to younger voters by featuring politicians like Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, 47, and Transport Minister János Lázár, 51, at his rallies.

Magyar and his team are moving quickly to prepare for the transfer of power. They're not wasting time after their surprise victory that few predicted would be so decisive.

The election result ends one of Europe's longest-serving leaders and could reshape Hungary's role in European politics.