India, April 13 -- Hungary is on the brink of a major political transition after Viktor Orban conceded defeat, paving the way for Peter Magyar to emerge as the country's next prime minister. On Sunday, Orban, a close Donald Trump ally and prime minister for 16 years, confirmed that he congratulated the opposition leader on his historic win.

"The election results, though not yet final, are clear and understandable; for us, they are painful but unambiguous," Orban said. "We have not been entrusted with the responsibility and opportunity to govern. I congratulated the winning party."

Hungarians turned out in record numbers for the vote, which became a referendum on Orban's increasingly authoritarian rule. Magyar cast the election as the la...