Hungarian PM declares victory in Sunday vote
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has declared victory in Sunday’s parliamentary election.
He addressed the nation after the polling stations closed and more than 80 percent of the vote was counted. Election officials said his Fidesz Party and its small ally, the Christian Democratic People’s Party, look set to win close to two-thirds of the parliamentary seats.
“This was not just any odd victory. We have scored such a comprehensive victory, the significance of which we cannot yet fully grasp tonight,” said Orban.
About one-fifth of the vote went to a far-right Jobbik opposition party which has been accused of anti-Semitism.
Many voters have credited Orban with improving the economy and lowering utility costs after eight years of Socialist mismanagement.
Critics have accused him of discouraging much-needed foreign investment.
