Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat in the April 12 general election and congratulated the winner, according to statements made following the announcement of preliminary results.

Tisza leader Peter Magyar posted a short message on Facebook saying the prime minister had congratulated "our victory".

Orban, speaking to his supporters at the conference hall by the Danube, acknowledged what he described as a "painful and clear" election result, but he did not name either Magyar or the Tisza party in his concession speech.

The outgoing prime minister told supporters that, regardless of the outcome, he would continue to serve the nation from the opposition, adding that his party would not abandon its voters. 

Orban told supporters that the coming period would focus on recovery and rebuilding the political community, emphasising that Fidesz would continue its work in opposition and would not abandon its supporters. Orban specifically thanked ethnic Hungarians from across the border and said that Fidesz would continue to support them. 

At 53.45% of votes processed, projections indicated that the Tisza Party could win 136 seats, three seats over the supermajority, compared to 56 for the ruling Fidesz. Radical right-wing Our Homeland could also pass the 5% threshold and send 7 MPs to Parliament.

On the national list vote at 39.30% of the votes processed, Tisza stood at 52.49%, while Fidesz was at 38.83%, Our Homeland at 6.08%, the Democratic Coalition at 1.19%, and the Two-Tailed Dog Party at 0.78%.

The Tisza Party is holding its election campaign event across from parliament on the Buda side, where tens of thousands of supporters have filled the riverbank. The atmosphere is carnival-like, with people singing and waving flags.