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Fidesz Surges After Hungarian Tax Hikes
- The opposition Hungarian Citizens Party (Fidesz) has become the most popular political organization in the European nation, according to a poll by Gallup Hungary. 38 per cent of respondents would vote for Fidesz in a parliamentary election.
The governing Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) is second with 27 per cent, followed by the Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) and the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) with three per cent each.
Hungarian voters renewed their National Assembly on Apr. 9 and Apr. 23. The MSZP and the SZDSZ secured 210 of the legislative branch's 386 seats, securing a full term for Socialist prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsany. Fidesz, led by Viktor Orban, elected 164 lawmakers.
In 2004, Hungary's fiscal deficit was 5.3 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The European Central Bank has set a fiscal deficit limit of 3.0 per cent to allow countries to adopt the single European currency.
Last month, Gyurcsany introduced a fiscal "austerity package" of state subsidy reductions and tax increases, aimed at lowering the country's fiscal deficit.
On Jul. 5, Fidesz member Tibor Navracsics criticized the government's decision, saying, "We will not join the cabinet in adopting these joint austerity measures. (...) The coalition would immediately shift responsibility to Fidesz and pull us into a situation which was brought about by the current government."
Polling Data
If an election were held today, what party would you support?
Hungarian Citizens Party (Fidesz) | 38% |
Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) | 27% |
Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) | 3% |
Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) | 3% |
Source: Gallup Hungary
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 996 Hungarian voters, conducted from Jun. 13 to Jun. 20, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.