Hungary held parliamentary elections on Sunday, with voting open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. to elect 199 members of the National Assembly, as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán faces a strong challenge from Péter Magyar.
Parliamentary Election Begins in Hungary
Voting commenced at 6 a.m. on Sunday in Hungary’s parliamentary elections, where 199 members of the unicameral National Assembly will be chosen. Polling stations will remain open until 7 p.m., with initial results expected around 8 p.m., according to the National Election Office (NVI).
Structure of the Hungarian Parliament
The Hungarian National Assembly (Orszaggyules) consists of 199 deputies, with 106 elected in single-member constituencies and the remaining 93 from national party lists. In each constituency, the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority.
Key Contenders in the Election
While five party lists and 12 Hungarian minority lists are registered, the outcome will largely depend on the contest between the Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the opposition TISZA party, headed by Péter Magyar.
Voting Regulations in Hungary
Voters cast two votes: one for a candidate in a single-member district and another for a party list or national minority list (for those belonging to registered Hungarian minorities). Voters abroad cast only one vote, for a national list.
Eligibility and Election Silence
All citizens aged 18 or older, who have not been deprived of their voting rights by a court, are eligible to vote. Hungarian election law does not have a period of election silence; campaigning continues until polling stations close at 7 p.m. However, political campaigning is prohibited within 150 meters of polling stations on election day.
Thresholds for Representation and Vote Counting
A 5% threshold applies to political parties, 10% to coalitions of two parties, and 15% to joint lists of three or more parties. The D’Hondt method is used to allocate seats from party lists. Vote counting begins immediately after 7 p.m., with preliminary results expected around 8 p.m., according to the NVI. No exit polls are being conducted.
Counting of Absentee Ballots and Final Results
Absentee ballots must arrive in the country no later than four days after the election and be counted by April 18th. If the number of votes for the largest lists is close, the final result may not be known until Saturday following the election.
Election Night Watch Locations
Both main rivals will await the results in Budapest. Orbán and Fidesz will host an election night event at the Balna complex on the Danube, while Magyar and TISZA members will gather at Batthyány Square, opposite the Hungarian Parliament building.
Poll Analysis Predicts Potential Shift in Power
An analysis published on Tuesday by the Median center indicated that TISZA could secure a two-thirds majority, ranging from 138 to 143 seats in the 199-member parliament. A qualified majority, needed for constitutional changes, requires 133 seats in the National Assembly.
Projected Parliamentary Composition
Median’s projections, based on five opinion polls, estimate between 138 and 143 seats for TISZA and 49 to 55 for the ruling Fidesz. The far-right Mi Hazánk party is expected to win five or six seats, becoming the only grouping besides Magyar’s and Orbán’s to enter parliament.
Campaign Marked by Accusations and Warnings
The campaign was marked by mutual accusations of election fraud and foreign interference. The ruling camp focused on promises of stability and peace, which they claim only Fidesz can guarantee. Orbán and his ministers also warned of the risk of involving the country in war if the opposition wins.
Opposition Campaign Focused on Corruption and Economic Issues
Magyar and TISZA members built their campaign on accusations of corruption within the government and the deterioration of the Hungarian economy. The opposition also pledged to reorient Hungary towards the West and adopt a constructive approach to EU membership.
Reported by
Jakub Bawołek (PAP) – Budapest
