Page 11 - CE Outlook Regions 2022

1.3 Politics - Hungary

Hungary is facing a decisive election in the spring of 2022 with
voters having to choose between stability provided by the
dominant ruling party, but with a deteriorating rule of law track
record, and a diverse alliance of opposition parties, which are

struggling to merge their concepts to form a coherent economic
and social policy vision.

The ruling Fidesz party will be facing its toughest election since
2006 to retain power, as polls show the united opposition having
a real chance of unseating Viktor Orban from power after 12
years of supermajority rule. Support for the six-party alliance
spanning left, liberal and right-wing parties is neck and neck with
the ruling radical rightwing party.

The emergence of Hungary’s third-richest man Gyorgy Gattyan in
the political arena just four months before the elections could be
a game-changer. The intentions of the billionaire, who made his
fortune from adult web streaming services, remain unknown.

The playing field in the 2022 elections won’t be level this time,
either. The single-round election system, the gerrymandering of
districts, the appearance of bogus parties, legislation allowing
vote tourism and media dominance have helped the ruling party
to secure a two-thirds majority in 2014 and 2018.

Hungary’s fragmented opposition, bowing to pressure from the
electorate, have joined forces to run on a single list in all 106
districts and to field a joint prime minister candidate against
Fidesz strongman Viktor Orban.

More than 700,000 people cast their votes in the historic primary

elections in the autumn that saw the emergence of an outsider,
Peter Marki-Zay, the conservative mayor of Hodmezovasarhely,
as the winner.

The 49-year-old, father of seven, an economist and engineer, is
running on a pro-market, pro-European and anti-corruption
agenda. He faces the daunting task of coming up with a viable

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