Hungarian Prime Minister Orban declares victory in parliamentary vote
Viktor Orban (6 April 2014) Viktor Orban spoke in front of a jubilant crowd in central Budapest.Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has declared victory in elections on Sunday, saying the vote showed that Hungary was the most united nation in Europe.
His centre-right Fidesz has polled 45%, with most of the votes counted.
A centre-left opposition alliance is trailing with 25%, while the far-right Jobbik party is credited with 21%.
The Hungarian left has never fully recovered from its heavy defeat in the 2010 ballot, in which Mr Orban swept to power with a two-thirds majority.
Sunday\’s election has been mainly fought over the state of the economy, correspondents say.
"No doubt we have won," Mr Orban told supporters gathered in the capital, Budapest, late on Sunday evening.
"This was not just any odd victory. We have scored such a comprehensive victory, the significance of which we cannot yet fully grasp tonight."
He said the election results showed that Hungarians wanted to stay in the European Union, but with a strong national government.
"I\’m going to work every day so that Hungary will be a wonderful place," he declared.
Fidesz is predicted to win 135 of the 199 seats in parliament.
Orban is credited by many voters for improving the economy and lowering utility costs after eight years of Socialist mismanagement.
The 50-year-old Orban has had repeated rows with the European Union and foreign investors over the way he pursues what he sees as the national interest.
But he is popular with many voters for stabilising public finances and cutting their electricity and gas bills. Opinion polls show his Fidesz party is on course for a landslide victory.
Unlike four years ago, when Hungarians voted in two rounds, Sunday\’s election will feature a first-past-the-post single round in 106 constituencies, with the number of lawmakers in parliament reduced sharply to 199 from 386.
Source: Agencies
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