Viktor Orbán expected to win third term in Hungary election


Voting is drawing to a close in Hungary, where opinion polls have pointed to a third consecutive term for right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Before the vote, Mr Orban and his Fidesz party were polling at 20 points or more ahead of the far-right Jobbik party and the centre-left Socialists.

Polling stations were meant to close at 19:00 (17:00 GMT), but some are staying open hours later due to long queues.

Preliminary results are expected one or two hours after voting ends.

While Fidesz is expected to win a parliamentary majority, analysts are watching to see if Mr Orban’s party can regain its “supermajority”.

This is the two-thirds control of the 199-seat legislature that allowed Fidesz to pass controversial laws putting pressure on the judiciary and the press.

Data at 16:30 GMT from the National Election Office showed voter turnout of 68% – around nine points higher than at the same point in the 2014 election.

Pollsters think a high turnout could benefit the opposition.