Orbán vs Magyar: Hungary votes in high-stakes parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections are taking place today, on April 12, in Hungary, with polling stations opening at 6 a.m. in Budapest and set to close at 7 p.m.

Voters are casting ballots under a mixed system, choosing both a candidate in single-member districts (106 of 199 seats) and a party list, Caliber.Az reports via British media.

Political forces must pass a 5% threshold to enter parliament.

Five parties are competing in the election. The main contenders are the ruling Fidesz party led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the new Tisza Party led by Péter Magyar.

Also on the ballot are the left-wing Democratic Coalition, the satirical Two-Tailed Dog Party, and the far-right Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland), which polls suggest may cross the threshold.

Polling predictions are divided: independent surveys point to a clear victory for Tisza, while government-aligned institutes expect Orbán’s party to retain its majority.

Under the law, vote counting must be completed no later than April 18.

By Jeyhun Aghazada