Legislative in Hungary: Viktor Orban on his way to a fourth consecutive term

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in front of his supporters in Budapest on the evening of the legislative elections, April 3, 2022. AP - Petr David Josek

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2 mins

In power for twelve years, the head of the Hungarian government claimed this Sunday " 

 " on the evening of the legislative elections.

His party, Fidesz, won 55.75% of the vote after counting nearly 60% of the ballots.

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Analysts had predicted a tight battle as ever.

Because for the first time since Viktor Orban came to power twelve years ago, an unprecedented alliance of six parties from left to right stood before him.

But according to partial results communicated by the National Electoral Office, the Prime Minister's party, Fidesz, was this Sunday evening at the head of the legislative elections with 54.24% of the votes after the counting of 77% of the ballots, against 33.92 % for the opposition.

“ 

 , ”said Viktor Orban, all smiles and to applause, accustomed to arm wrestling with the EU.

At 10 p.m. UT, his opponent Peter Marki-Zay had still not spoken.

By slipping his ballot into the ballot box alongside his family, this 49-year-old conservative mayor had earlier denounced " 

".

And to quote public media at the boot of the government - itself was entitled to only five minutes of antenna on public television, in all and for all.

A poll under close surveillance

Accused by Brussels of multiple attacks on the rule of law, Viktor Orban has muzzled justice and the media over his 12 years in power, while advocating an ultra-conservative vision of society.

This Sunday's poll was held for the first time under the supervision of more than 200 international observers.

Each camp also deployed thousands of volunteers.

The election campaign was disrupted by the outbreak of war in neighboring Ukraine.

Viktor Orban posed as "a protector" of Hungary, a guarantor of peace and stability, by refusing to deliver arms to Ukraine and to vote for sanctions which would deprive the Hungarians of precious Russian oil and gas.

At the same time, on election posters and in the pro-Orban media, Peter Marki-Zay was portrayed as " 

 ", accused of wanting to rush the country into war because of his firm support for Ukraine.

The candidate may have underlined the closeness cultivated since 2010 by the Prime Minister with the Russian president, calling him a “Hungarian Putin”, his speech was obviously not enough to convince the voters.

The Hungarians were also called upon to answer four questions in connection with the recent law prohibiting the discussion with those under 18 of “gender reassignment and homosexuality”.

An “unhealthy” referendum for the NGOs which had asked voters to “invalidate” their ballots by ticking two boxes instead of one.

The results are expected later in the evening.

(

AFP)

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• Hungary

• Victor Orban