Fidesz Could Assemble Next Hungarian Government

Hungary’s main opposition party has a real chance to form the next government, according to a poll by Tarki. 61 per cent of respondents—all decided voters—would support the Hungarian Citizens Party (Fidesz) in the next legislative election, unchanged since June. The ruling Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) is behind with 29 per cent, followed by the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) with three per cent, and the Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) with two 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,... [read full story]