Hungary’s Parliamentary Elections Conclude with Record Turnout

Polling stations in Hungary closed at 19:00 local time in Budapest (20:00 Kyiv time), marking the end of parliamentary election day. The country recorded a historic turnout. As of 18:30, 77.8% of eligible voters had cast their ballots. Special correspondent of FREEДOM in Europe, Vitalii Syzov, reported on the public mood and how the elections unfolded on April 12, UATV English reports.

Such a high turnout has not been seen in parliamentary elections for a long time. On the right bank of the Danube, supporters of the opposition Tisza Party gathered to await the results and a speech by their leader Péter Magyar. Earlier in the day, he made several statements outlining his plans and overall projected confidence in victory.

“On the very first day, we will have much to do, including anti-corruption measures. We must apply for Hungary’s accession to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. We must create a national authority for the recovery and protection of assets. We must adopt everything and carefully review it all. There will be a transfer of power. It is necessary to assess the current state of the Hungarian budget and, in general, all ministries and institutions responsible for the transfer of power. We must review the exact situation regarding the handover of the country,” Péter Magyar said.

Meanwhile, incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, leader of the Fidesz party, reiterated the key messages he voiced throughout the campaign, including strong criticism of Ukraine and the European Union.

“We are a member of the European Union and insist on the rights that belong to EU member states. We oppose any centralization of the empire. We firmly defend national rights and sovereignty, as well as the founding treaty of the European Union. And we call on Brussels to respect these rights and the founding treaty. The principle of subsidiarity is key here,” Orbán stated.

According to exit polls, the opposition Tisza Party is significantly ahead of the ruling Fidesz.

It is worth recalling that on April 12, Hungarians voted to determine the new composition of parliament. The main contenders for the post of prime minister — incumbent Viktor Orbán and opposition leader Péter Magyar — both visited polling stations and cast their votes earlier in the day.

Read also: Voting Begins in Hungary’s Parliamentary Elections