Hungarian parliamentary elections – high voter turnout / Article

Ukraine’s parliamentary elections – high voter turnout

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It is the middle of the day and I am in one of the central polling stations in Budapest. The station is not large, but I emphasize that I am at the station because I simply cannot get inside physically. There are dozens, dozens of people standing in line waiting for their turn to vote. And as one of the passers-by told me –

nothing like this has been experienced in Hungary for a long time

In the last days of the pre-election campaign, both opposition leaders of the opposition Democratic Coalition, who called for mobilization to prevent the re-election of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and the ruling Fidesz party were actively calling for Ukraine to be excluded. in the war. This explains the opposition’s calls for greater military support for neighboring Ukraine. As several commentators have said before the election, the issue of the war in Ukraine may change the minds of some undecided voters, but overall it would not make a significant difference to the outcome of the vote.

At the polling station, I addressed several people who were leaving the building after the vote. The first of the speakers is very direct, and the question of whether I can ask what he voted on is in the negative – no, you should not. I asked if he also took part in the referendum on the rights of sexual minorities?

“Was there a referendum then? We don’t want to talk about it – it’s a private matter … especially in this country – In 10 years we’ll be able to talk about it,” he said.

The other man also doesn’t want to talk at first and asks to turn off the camera, but agrees to speak on the dictaphone: “I’m sorry, but I won’t tell you what I voted for – it’s a private matter.”

Even before the election, many civic activists I met pointed out that there was a growing lack of independent media in Hungary, but that expressing views in the official media could also threaten increased pressure in the workplace. Some other voters are more open.

“I voted for the Democratic Coalition because I don’t like the current government and I don’t think anything will change. This government doesn’t work for people. I have my own business, I can do whatever I want. But since I don’t have a well-known politician, I voted for “If you voted for the current leadership – nothing would change,” admits the voter.

“I did not vote for Orban, but for the opposition forces, because I am tired of this situation. I do not agree with this policy when everyone is pitted against each other. We are all Hungarian and we have to work together, not against each other. So I want to a new era, “emphasizes a voter.

Several other young voters also point to the need for change. It is possible that due to the language barrier, I also failed to address any of the supporters of the ruling party. According to polls, the capital in Budapest is likely to receive the most support from an opposition coalition led by Peter Mark-Zay, its single prime minister.

Recent figures show that by three in the afternoon, voter turnout in Hungary had reached almost 53 percent. Polling stations will be closed at 8 pm Latvian time.

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