Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán re-elected for third term

Hungary’s right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban has claimed a landslide victory in Sunday’s general election.

Fidesz won almost half of the vote, with 93% of ballots counted, Hungary’s National Election Office said.

Mr Orban is a strong Eurosceptic who campaigned on an anti-immigration platform.

In a speech to supporters on Sunday night, Mr Orban said his victory gave Hungarians “the opportunity to defend themselves and to defend Hungary”.

Polling stations were meant to close at 19:00 (17:00 GMT), but some stayed open hours later due to long queues. Voter turnout reached a near-record 69% – an outcome some believed would favour the prime minister’s opponents.

But with almost all votes counted, the nationalist Jobbik party is in second place with 20% of the vote. The Socialists are in third with 12%, and the LMP, Hungary’s main Green Party, is in fourth with 7%.