Orban on course for fourth term as PM as Hungarians go to polls

Long queues of Hungarian votersstretchedforblocksoutside polling stations in Budapest yesterday, with some waiting up to three hours to cast their ballots as Prime Minister Viktor Orban sought a fourth term on a platform that demonised migrants.

Polls agreed on the eventual triumph of Orban’s right-wing nationalist Fidesz party and its allied Christian Democrats in the national vote but opposition leaders were encouraged by a high early turnout.

A splintered opposition and Hungary’s complex electoral system make it difficult to predict the expected margin of victory for Fidesz.

In all, 199 seats in parliament were up for grabs.

Opposition parties were keen to make sure that Orban’s bloc does not sweep to a supermajority in which the autocratic leader could easily push through more constitutional changes.

The autocratic Mr Orban has campaigned heavily on his unyielding anti-migration policies, although voters say they are more concerned with poverty, growing government corruption and the country’s underfunded health system.

“Migration is like rust that slowly but surely would consume Hungary,” Mr Orban said at his final rally on Friday.

If he wins, Mr Orban has promised to cut income tax and pass pro-growth economic policies.

According to the National Election Office, more than 4.22 million voters – 53.6 per cent of those eligible – had cast their ballots by 3pm. That was the highest turnout figure for that hour since at least 1998.

Gergely Karacsony, the leading candidate of the left-wing Socialist and Dialogue parties, said: “We are celebrating democracy and it seems like this feast will be beautiful because many of us are taking part.”

However, analysts were more cautious about the significance of the turnout.

“Voter turnout is at a record high,” tweeted Tamas Boros, co-director of the Policy Solutions think-tank.

“This means either an overwhelming support for Orban or the end of Fidesz as the omnipotent political party in Hungary. The Hungarian political landscape will dramatically change today.”

Gabor Vona of the nationalist Jobbik party urged his supporters not to become complacent.

After voting in his home city of Gyonygyos in northern Hungary, Mr Vona said: “Figures show that it will be an election with a high voter turnout. But this is not the time to sit back.”

Some 8.3 million Hungarians are eligible to vote, with preliminary results expected late last night. 0 Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is seeking a fourth term on a platform that demonised migrants, casts his vote yesterday.