Polls & Research

Strong Advantage for Fidesz in Hungary

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The governing Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) is trailing its main rival in the European country, according to a poll by Gallup Hungary. 34 per cent of respondents would vote for the opposition Hungarian Citizens Party (Fidesz) in the next election.

The MSZP is second with 18 per cent, followed by the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) with four per cent, and the Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) with one per cent.

Hungarian voters renewed their National Assembly in April 2006. 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, a centre-right party led by Viktor Orban, elected 164 lawmakers.

In September 2006, Gyurcsany was criticized after Hungary's state radio aired portions of an audiotape—which had been recorded in May—in which he told members of the MSZP that his administration "lied throughout the past one and a half or two years" about the state of the country's economy in order to win re-election. The prime minister's words sparked a two-week riot that threatened to end his government.

Orban is a constant critic of the prime minister's efforts to strengthen Hungary's ties with Russia. Last week, as Hungary celebrated the anniversary of the 1848 revolution, Orban accused Gyurcsany of leading an "aristocracy government", and participated in a series of popular protests calling for his resignation. Orban has said he will organize a referendum this year on the prime minister's tenure.

During the rally, Orban slammed the government for helping Russia in securing an "energy monopoly" in the region, adding, "Let's not forget that oil comes from the East, but freedom always comes from the West."

Polling Data

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