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English
Hungarians vote in closely watched election, with Orban's rule on line
Hungarians vote in closely watched election, with Orban's rule on line
Hungarians are voting in a closely watched parliamentary election that cou[3D[K
could end nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban's 16-year stint in power.[6D[K
power. The vote is followed closely abroad, particularly across Europe. Opi[3D[K
Opinion polls suggest the party of pro-European conservative Peter Magyar i[1D[K
is running well ahead of Orban's.
The vote comes as US President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind th[2D[K
the EU's current longest-serving leader who maintains close ties to Russia.[7D[K
Russia. Both camps have made allegations of foreign interference during the[3D[K
the campaign in the central European country of 9.5 million people.
Orban, 62, seeks a fifth straight term. He transformed Hungary into an illi[4D[K
illiberal democracy, following Trump by casting migration and woke values[6D[K
values as a threat. Former government insider Magyar burst onto the scene t[1D[K
two years ago and is promising a system change. Polls opened at 6 am, acc[3D[K
according to AFP journalists. They will close at 7 pm.
Orban has increasingly locked horns with Brussels who accuses him of quashi[6D[K
quashing dissent and eroding the rule of law. Hungary is seen as being corr[4D[K
corrupt in the EU together with Bulgaria, according to Transparency Interna[7D[K
International. Five parties will be listed after several stood down to bols[4D[K
bolster Tisza's chances. The first preliminary results are expected soon af[2D[K
after polls close but if it is close, the winner might not be declared unti[4D[K
until counting is finished next Saturday, according to the National Electio[7D[K
Election Office.
Orban has focused on making Ukraine the central topic of his campaign by po[2D[K
portraying the country as hostile to Hungary. He has vowed to continue hi[2D[K
his crackdown against fake civil society organizations.
