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Hungary votes in the April 3 parliamentary elections, a major challenge for incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orban in his 12 years in office. After casting his ballot in the ballot box Sunday morning Orban said he expects a big win.
“I have been working for many months and therefore I expect a big victory, this is what the country needs.” Orban, who has been in office since 2010, is seeking his fifth term in office and his fourth in a row. His main opponent in this election is Peter Marki-Zay, who leads an opposition coalition. But elections are not the only issue that worries voters. They will also be asked for their views in a referendum on the rights of the LGBT community.
Orban has long been at odds with the European Commission. His critics say he has alienated the country from key EU values, including undermining the rule of law and launching anti-immigration policies, and when Brussels criticized a new law in Hungary banning the “display or promotion” of homosexuality. Orban accused European leaders of behaving like “colonialists”.
Meanwhile, the Hungarian opposition coalition says Hungary belongs to the EU and they pledge to improve co-operation with the West. Hence in an unprecedented move, six opposition parties joined in an attempt to topple Orban by choosing Péter Marki-Zay as a potential candidate.
Beyond the opposition coalition, two smaller parties could enter parliament, exceeding the 5% threshold. Over the past 12 years, Orban’s policies and alliances have changed dramatically. While there have been growing disagreements with the EU, he has forged strong ties with authoritarian leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping.
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