European Forum

Socialists defeated by far-right party in Hungary’s elections

Yesterday (12 April) Hungary's conservative opposition party, Fidesz, secured a convincing victory in the general elections, defeating the Socialist party. Viktor Orban, the leader of Fidesz, who is set to be the next prime minister, stated that "Hungarians voted on Hungary and Hungary's future. Today Hungary's citizens have defeated hopelessness.

Also as expected, but not as welcome, Hungary’s radical far-right Jobbik Party made it into Parliament for the first time. Jobbnik is headed by Gábor Vona, founder of the Magyar Gárda (Hungarian Guard), which is described as ‘Hungary’s shame’ for its anti-Semitic and extremist views. The group was disbanded in 2008 for the violation of human rights of minorities. Jobbnik has also campaigned against foreign companies, Hungarian banks, and Roma people (Gypsies). The party has risen from nowhere in the last few years, gaining almost 15% of Hungarian votes in European elections last year. Hungary's largest Jewish organisation warned that the Parliamentary vote was "the first occasion that a movement pursuing openly anti-Semitic policies" has taken a step to power since the Nazi era.

Enormous defeat
Preliminary results indicated that Fidesz had won 206 seats (52.8%of the votes) in the 386-member parliament, the Socialists 28 (19.3%), and Jobbik 26 (16.7%). The turnout was about 64%, slightly lower than the first round of general elections in 2006. President Laszlo Solyom said the results had brought a "fundamental shift" in Hungarian politics. "It is unprecedented... for a winning party to secure such a clear and broad-based mandate that we can see now from the numbers," he told reporters. According to international media, the result was a stunning defeat for the Socialist party, which has governed Hungary for the past eight years, and a remarkable victory for Fidesz. The final division of seats will, however, only be decided after the second round, which will be held on 25 April. Fidesz, nevertheless, looks close to achieving its goal of a two-thirds majority in the new Parliament. That would allow the party to make deep structural reforms, including changes to the constitution.

After his victory Mr Orban stated: "I feel it with all my nerves and know it deep in my heart that I face the biggest task of my life. I will need all the Hungarian people to solve that." Orban, who was Hungary's prime minister from 1998-2002, promised to cut taxes to stimulate the economy.

Socialists move to opposition
Conceding Socialist party chairwoman Ildiko Lendvai said: "If results do not change materially, then one thing is clear: the Hungarian Socialist party has lost the opportunity to govern. "But it has not lost, moreover it wants to grasp the opportunity to be the strongest opposition party."

Hungary has been badly hit by the global financial and economic crisis, and has had to be bailed out with 20billion euros from the IMF, the World Bank and the EU. The Socialist government of Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai imposed a tough austerity program to reclaim some of the money, but measures like tax rises and salary and pension cuts have made it very unpopular.


Sources: BBC; Reuters; NRC (Dutch)