By 3:00 PM, the voter turnout in Hungary's parliamentary elections, according to the election office, was 66.01%, with nearly 5 million voters casting their ballots. Local media describe the turnout as "absolutely record-breaking."
Seven hours after the polling stations opened, more than half of the voters participated in the parliamentary elections in Hungary, according to data published on the website of the National Election Office (NVI).
Polling stations opened across the country at 6:00 AM and will remain open until 7:00 PM. According to NVI data at 3:00 PM, 60.01% of voters had cast their ballots in the first nine hours of the election - nearly 5 million people. In the remaining four hours, about 2.5 million citizens still need to make their choice.
The opposition Hungarian magazine HVG called the turnout "absolutely record-breaking" in the morning. For comparison, in the previous parliamentary elections in Hungary on April 3, 2022, 40.01% of voters had voted by 1:00 PM, and 52.75% by 3:00 PM, noted the Hungarian news portal 444.hu.
Orban and Madyar reacted to the record turnout
"Many people are voting. This means one thing - if we want to protect the security of Hungary, no patriot should stay at home! Only 'Fidesz'! Forward to victory!" wrote Viktor Orban, the current Prime Minister of the country and leader of the national-conservative party "Fidesz - Hungarian Civic Alliance," on his Facebook page.
"All of 'Tisza' and millions of Hungarians who support us are calmly, confidently, and peacefully awaiting the closing of the ballot boxes in the evening: the voter turnout data for the day confirms what we already knew. Today marks a celebration for the referendum on regime change that will enter Hungarian history," commented Peter Madyar, an opposition politician leading the centrist party "Tisza" ("Respect and Freedom").
Why the parliamentary elections are so important for Hungarians
62-year-old Orban has been in power since 2010. In this election, for the first time, there is an opposition candidate capable of winning - 45-year-old Madyar. He was previously a member of the youth wing of "Fidesz" and only took over the party "Tisza" two years ago.
Among the issues that dissatisfied citizens may point to regarding Orban's government are the poor state of public infrastructure, healthcare, and education systems, as well as corruption.
Madyar, for his part, intends to fight corruption vigorously, implement "systemic changes," and introduce a new constitution. Additionally, he advocates for distancing Hungary from Russia and returning it as a reliable ally of the European Union and NATO, reports "Deutsche Welle."
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