A Chance For Change: How Hungary Is Going To The Polls

What's going on in Budapest.

Today, April 11, is the last day before voting in Hungary's parliamentary elections. For the first time in many years, the opposition has a real chance to win and remove Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party from power.

Sociological polls show this. On the eve of the vote, parties are calling on their supporters to mobilize as much as possible. A special correspondent of the FREEDOM TV channel in Europe, Vitaly Sizov, who is in Budapest, told about the mood on the eve of the vote.

The key issues for Hungarian voters remain the internal problems of the state: falling income levels and the crisis of relations with the European Union. Viktor Orbán's tactic of looking for the causes of all the difficulties in Ukraine remains somewhat effective in mobilizing the electoral core, but its influence is diminishing nationwide. For the first time in 16 years, the possibility of a change of power has become tangible.

- In expert circles, among journalists and activists, there are signs that the Prime Minister's influence is weakening even within the power vertical. Officials, guided by current sociology, question the stability of the government and in the event of a political crisis are unlikely to unconditionally support the current cabinet, - said our correspondent.

- Budapest traditionally remains the center of opposition sentiment, so Orban's main campaign was concentrated in the regions. Nevertheless, the final rally of the head of the government is planned exactly in the capital, probably in order to demonstrate the existence of support in all parts of the country. Despite this, the majority of the city's residents are skeptical of the current course. Polls and the mood on the streets confirm the high demand for change.

- I hope that more people will participate in the elections tomorrow and they will do what they want for the situation in Hungary. In the last 16 years, the Fidesz party has done some good things and more not so good things, but we will see what will happen tomorrow," said a Budapest resident.

At the same time, the authorities' rhetoric resonates with a part of citizens who share conservative views.

- We have no problems with Ukraine. And we have no problems with Brussels, but they are trying to make us work with them for war. This is a war going on between two Christian countries. Many people are dying in this war and they are all Christians, at the same time Europe is receiving many people from Arab countries, millions, and this is not a good signal," says another Budapest resident.

Till then, for most voters, the propaganda talking points of Orban's headquarters are proving to be ineffective. At the moment, the Fidesz party is 10 percent behind the leader of the race, the opposition Tisa party. Such a gap indicates the real prospect of the opposition gaining a constitutional majority. This would allow not only to change fundamental laws, but also to carry out a deep cleansing of the power vertical from the protégés of the current prime minister.

- However, the situation remains unpredictable because of Hungary's mixed electoral system: the final result will depend not only on party lists, but also on voting in majority districts. Local experts emphasize: in case of a minimal defeat, Orban will retain his leverage over state institutions," says Vitaly Sizov.

The outcome of these elections is of fundamental importance for Ukraine. Opposition leader Peter Magyar does not express strong pro-Ukrainian sympathies, but he is neutral on key issues. Judging by his statements, he does not intend to block financial support or military aid to Kiev. In matters of interaction with Brussels, Magyar's positions also give reason to hope for a constructive dialog.

- It is noteworthy that European institutions are trying to ignore absentee conflicts with Orbán in order not to fuel his theses about "protecting Hungary from foreign interference." Against the backdrop of Russian aggression, the ruling party's accusations against Kiev and Brussels look destructive. It seems that the main threat to the government is not the war in Europe, but the country that actually ensures the security of the entire region, including Hungary itself," the correspondent adds.

Tomorrow early in the morning about 10,000 polling stations will open in the country. Preliminary voting results will be known a few hours after they close in the evening.

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