July 23, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - The opposition Citizens Party (Fidesz) remains the most popular political organization in Hungary, according to a poll by Gallup. 31 per cent of respondents would vote for Fidesz—led by former prime minister Viktor Orban—in the next general election.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The opposition Citizens Party (Fidesz) remains the most popular political organization in Hungary, according to a poll by Gallup. 31 per cent of respondents would vote for Fidesz—led by former prime minister Viktor Orban—in the next general election.

The ruling Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) is second with 25 per cent, followed by the Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) with two per cent and the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) also with two per cent. Support for FIDESZ increased by two per cent in a month, while backing for the MSZP went up by six per cent. The next parliamentary ballot is tentatively scheduled for April 2006.

Last August, Socialist prime minister Peter Medgyessy tendered his resignation after a cabinet dispute. The Socialists chose businessman and sports minister Ferenc Gyurcsany as the new head of government.

On Jul. 8, Orban and Gyurcsany faced each other in a televised debate. The FIDESZ leader proposed lowering the country's income taxes, while the sitting prime minister argued that a reduction in the value added tax from 25 per cent to 20 per cent would be more beneficial.

Polling Data

If an election were held today, what party would you support?

	Jul. 2005	Jun. 2005	May 2005
Hungarian Citizens Party (Fidesz)	31%	29%	31%
Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP)	25%	19%	24%
Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ)	2%	2%	4%
Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF)	2%	2%	2%

Source: Gallup Hungary
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,011 Hungarian voters, conducted from Jul. 7 to Jul. 13, 2005. Margin of error is 3.2 per cent.