Polls Close in Hungary’s Parliamentary Election

(MENAFN) Polls closed across Hungary on Sunday following a historic parliamentary election in which more than 8 million eligible citizens cast ballots to fill the country's 199-seat National Assembly — with voter turnout already smashing records before the final count was even complete.

Polling stations operated from 6 am to 7 pm local time (0400–1700 GMT), with the National Election Office set to begin releasing preliminary results after 8 pm (1800 GMT).

The most striking development of the day came before a single vote was tallied: by 5 pm local time (1500 GMT), early turnout had already reached 74.23% — surpassing the final turnout figures of every previous national parliamentary election on record. The figure dwarfs the 62.92% recorded in the 2022 election, 63.21% in 2018, 45.02% in 2014, and 46.78% in 2010.

Under Hungary's electoral framework, 106 lawmakers are returned through single-member constituencies, while the remaining 93 seats are distributed via national party lists. A 5% threshold must be cleared to gain parliamentary entry, and any party or alliance securing at least 100 seats earns the right to form a government.

The election arrives at a pivotal moment, testing the enduring grip of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose Fidesz party has held power continuously since 2010. His most formidable challenger is the main opposition Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, which has posted notable gains in recent polling.

Several additional parties are contesting the vote, including the Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party (MKKP), the LMP (Hungary's Green Party), the Momentum Movement, and Jobbik.

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