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Opposition Fidesz Soars in Hungary

November 26, 2007

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The Hungarian Citizens Party (Fidesz) has gained considerable backing this month, according to a poll by Median. 64 per cent of respondents would vote for Hungary’s main opposition party in the next general election, up six points since October.

The governing Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) is second with 26 per cent—down six points in a month—followed by the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) with four per cent, and the Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) also with four 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, led by Viktor Orban, elected 164 lawmakers. In June 2006, Gyurcsany introduced a fiscal "austerity package" of state subsidy reductions and tax increases, aimed at lowering the country’s fiscal deficit.

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.

On Nov. 19, Orban said the Gyurcsany government could come to an end "in six to nine months" either "by way of Parliament or by another way." The Fidesz leader claimed that "social problems may not be solved in Hungary without a major political change", adding, "Those who are responsible for the present situation will be advised to leave, politely, elegantly but firmly."

Polling Data

If an election were held today, what party would you support?
(Decided Voters)

 

Nov. 2007

Oct. 2007

Sept. 2007

Hungarian Citizens Party (Fidesz)

64%

58%

54%

Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP)

26%

32%

35%

Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF)

4%

2%

3%

Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ)

4%

2%

3%

Source: Median
Methodology: Interviews with 1,200 Hungarian adults, conducted from Nov. 9 to Nov. 13, 2007. No margin of error was provided.