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Hungary election: Viktor Orban's Fidesz party hopes for third straight term | Hungary election: Viktor Orban's Fidesz party hopes for third straight term |
(35 minutes later) | |
Voting is drawing to a close in Hungary, where opinion polls have pointed to a third consecutive term for right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban. | |
Before the vote, Mr Orban and his Fidesz party were polling at 20 points or more ahead of the far-right Jobbik party and the centre-left Socialists. | |
Polling stations were meant to close at 19:00 (17:00 GMT), but some are staying open due to long queues. | |
Preliminary results are expected one or two hours after voting ends. | |
While Fidesz is expected to win a parliamentary majority, analysts are watching to see if Mr Orban's party can regain its "supermajority". | While Fidesz is expected to win a parliamentary majority, analysts are watching to see if Mr Orban's party can regain its "supermajority". |
This is the two-thirds control of the 199-seat legislature that allowed Fidesz to pass controversial laws putting pressure on the judiciary and the press. | This is the two-thirds control of the 199-seat legislature that allowed Fidesz to pass controversial laws putting pressure on the judiciary and the press. |
Data at 16:30 GMT from the National Election Office showed voter turnout was at 68% - around nine points higher than at the same point in the 2014 election. | |
Pollsters think a high turnout could benefit the opposition. | Pollsters think a high turnout could benefit the opposition. |
What are Viktor Orban's policies? | What are Viktor Orban's policies? |
Mr Orban refused to publicly debate with his opponents during the campaign or speak to the independent media, speaking instead at rallies for his supporters. | Mr Orban refused to publicly debate with his opponents during the campaign or speak to the independent media, speaking instead at rallies for his supporters. |
These addresses focused on one core policy - stopping immigration. | These addresses focused on one core policy - stopping immigration. |
"Migration is like rust that slowly but surely would consume Hungary," Mr Orban said at his final rally on Friday. | "Migration is like rust that slowly but surely would consume Hungary," Mr Orban said at his final rally on Friday. |
Under Mr Orban, Hungary built a fence along its borders with Serbia and Croatia in 2015 to stop illegal migrants. | Under Mr Orban, Hungary built a fence along its borders with Serbia and Croatia in 2015 to stop illegal migrants. |
His anti-immigration measures and tough rhetoric have seen him clash with the European Union in the past. | His anti-immigration measures and tough rhetoric have seen him clash with the European Union in the past. |
Mr Orban is an avowed Eurosceptic who opposes further EU integration. He refused to take part in the EU's refugee resettlement programme, and he has praised Russian leader Vladimir Putin. | Mr Orban is an avowed Eurosceptic who opposes further EU integration. He refused to take part in the EU's refugee resettlement programme, and he has praised Russian leader Vladimir Putin. |
If he wins, as is likely, Mr Orban has promised to cut income tax and pass pro-growth economic policies. | If he wins, as is likely, Mr Orban has promised to cut income tax and pass pro-growth economic policies. |
His administration has presided over strong economic growth, which he says would be threatened under the opposition. | His administration has presided over strong economic growth, which he says would be threatened under the opposition. |
Who are the opposition parties? | Who are the opposition parties? |
A poll on Friday put Fidesz on 46% among decided voters, more than 20 points ahead of their nearest rivals Jobbik, on 19%. | A poll on Friday put Fidesz on 46% among decided voters, more than 20 points ahead of their nearest rivals Jobbik, on 19%. |
Formerly a far-right group who agitated against Hungary's Roma community, Jobbik has tried to claim the centre ground in recent years. | Formerly a far-right group who agitated against Hungary's Roma community, Jobbik has tried to claim the centre ground in recent years. |
Rebranding itself as a moderate "conservative people's party", its leader Gabor Vona has called for a change in government and railed against Mr Orban. | Rebranding itself as a moderate "conservative people's party", its leader Gabor Vona has called for a change in government and railed against Mr Orban. |
"Viktor Orban is a burnt-out politician, interested only in corruption and football," he once said. | "Viktor Orban is a burnt-out politician, interested only in corruption and football," he once said. |
The centre-left Socialists meanwhile were on 14% in Friday's poll and not thought to pose a threat to Fidesz. | The centre-left Socialists meanwhile were on 14% in Friday's poll and not thought to pose a threat to Fidesz. |
However, one-third of voters remain undecided, and an upset is not being ruled out. | However, one-third of voters remain undecided, and an upset is not being ruled out. |
In February, the southern town of Hodmezovasarhely elected a mayor backed by all the main opposition parties. It had been considered a Fidesz stronghold. | In February, the southern town of Hodmezovasarhely elected a mayor backed by all the main opposition parties. It had been considered a Fidesz stronghold. |
Analysts suggest tactical voting could in theory strip the government of its 131-seat domination of Hungary's parliament. | Analysts suggest tactical voting could in theory strip the government of its 131-seat domination of Hungary's parliament. |
However, given his commanding lead in the polls, an outright defeat for Mr Orban is unlikely. | However, given his commanding lead in the polls, an outright defeat for Mr Orban is unlikely. |