Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Hungary's socialists set to be re-elected

Stephen Castle,Europe Correspondent
Monday 24 April 2006 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Hungary's ruling coalition government was last night on course to win a narrow victory at the polls and become the first administration to be re-elected in the country's post-Communist era.

Analysts predicted that, after yesterday's second round of voting, the coalition parties would win about 205 seats, against 181 for the centre-right opposition bloc.

Following the recent move to the left in Italy, success for Hungary's socialist Prime Minister, Ferenc Gyurcsany, 44, would underline a shift in Europe's political landscape, leaving centre-left parties in control or coalition in 13 out of the EU's 25 member states.

Hungary's electoral campaign has been marked by bitter exchanges, with Mr Gyurcsany's socialists and his centre-right adversaries in the Fidesz party accusing each other of unlawful or unsavoury tactics.

The new government faces a series of tough economic challenges and is under pressure to curb the country's huge budget deficit of 8 per cent of gross domestic product, the highest in the EU.

Mr Gyurcsany's chances improved after the former premier Viktor Orban unexpectedly withdrew as Fidesz's candidate for Prime Minister on 12 April.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in