Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban faces his biggest challenge on Sunday as the country votes in crucial elections that could hand victory to his centre-right rival Peter Magyar. Orban, an ally of US President Donald Trump and one of the European Union’s biggest antagonists, has run an aggressive campaign, claiming that a defeat would drag his country into war alongside Ukraine. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments.
How Orban benefits from Hungary’s tailor-made election system
Peter Magyar’s centre-right Tisza Party might be comfortably ahead in Hungary’s parliamentary election polls but he is far from guaranteed victory.
The country’s electoral system has been designed to support ruling Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party – and any institutions that are working in his favour – every step of the way.
At 3pm, a record turnout of 66 percent was recorded, compared with 52.75 percent in 2022, according to the National Electoral Office.
7.5 million voters are eligible to vote in the country, along with a further 500,000 registered abroad.
Polling stations will close at 7pm. As no polling organisations are planning to conduct exit polls, the results will only become known as the votes are counted.
Why Hungary’s Viktor Orban vilified Ukraine before crucial elections
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s campaign has characterised his main rival Peter Magyar as a stooge of Kyiv and Brussels. With his party trailing in the polls, the nationalist leader has sought to escalate tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, alleging that Kyiv and its European allies are conspiring to drag Hungary into war with Russia.
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