The Socialists and their allies have triumphed over the governing centre-right coalition in the Hungarian parliamentary elections.
With 99 per cent of votes counted, the Socialists and the Alliance of Free Democrats have won 198 of parliament's 386 seats. The Fidesz-Hungarian Civic Party, the present government, took 188 seats.
But the results do not automatically mean a new government. President Mr Ferenc Madl has the option of asking Fidesz - as the strongest individual party - to try to create a coalition.
But it seems unlikely that Fidesz could convince enough of the Socialists' allies to defect and give the centre-right the majority it needs to stay in government.
Prime Minister Mr Viktor Orban conceded defeat but predicted the centre-right would return to power over the longer term.
PA