Hungarian parliamentary election, April 2022

Summary:

Information Guide concerning the legislative election held in Hungary on 3 April 2022.

Further information:

Hungarians were called to elect 199 members of Hungary's National Assembly. These are elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting (106) and a single nationwide constituency mostly by proportional representation (93), via a partially compensatory system. The electoral threshold is set at 5%, although this is raised to 10% for coalitions of two parties and 15% for coalitions of three or more parties.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his far-right Fidesz party were challenged by an electoral alliance comprising many of the main opposition parties in Hungary from across the spectrum. This platform vowed to break the incumbent's political dominance, in place since 2010. In this context, a primary election was held in September and October 2021 to elect the leading candidate of the alliance. Péter Márki-Zay was eventually elected to run for the prime ministerial office.

The electoral campaign was strongly influenced by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, not only because Hungary received thousands of refugees escaping from the way but also because Mr Orbán and his government have traditionally been seen as close to the Russian authorities. A referendum was scheduled to be held at the same time as this election, focusing on sexual education of children.

The first electoral results confirmed that Fidesz had renewed its super-majority in Parliament and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán a new mandate. On the other hand, the referendum initiated by the government did not have a valid result as less than half of the voters did not cast a valid vote.

Commentary and Analysis

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES): Elections in Hungary: 2022 Parliamentary elections https://www.ifes.org/faqs/elections-hungary-2022-parliamentary-elections

Euro|topics: Dossier: Hungarian parliamentary elections 2022 https://www.eurotopics.net/en/276163/

Wikipedia: 2022 Hungarian parliamentary election https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Hungarian_parliamentary_election

Emerging Europe: Tag: Hungary Parliamentary Election 2022 https://emerging-europe.com/tag/hungary-parliamentary-election-2022/

Central Europe Institute (IES): Commentary, 07/12/2021: Hungary to hold referendum and elections on same day in 2022 https://ies.lublin.pl/en/comments/hungary-to-hold-referendum-and-elections-on-same-day-in-2022/

Centre for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), 24/01/2022: Hungary Election: Putting Orbán Under the Microscope https://cepa.org/hungary-election-putting-orban-under-the-microscope/

Project Syndicate: Commentary, 16/02/2022: Hungary's Freedom Election https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/hungary-election-2022-democracy-on-the-ballot-by-kati-marton-2022-02

The Economist: Europe, 17/02/2022: Hungary for change. As Orban runs for re-election, Hungary’s opposition fears fraud https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/02/17/as-orban-runs-for-re-election-hungarys-opposition-fears-fraud

LSE: EUROPP Blog, 21/02/2022: Orbán’s great power politics https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2022/02/21/orbans-great-power-politics/

Chatham House: Event Transcript, 26/01/2022: The Hungarian election and its significance for Europe. In conversation with Péter Márki-Zay, the Hungarian opposition’s candidate for prime minister. https://chathamhouse.soutron.net/Portal/DownloadImageFile.ashx?fieldValueId=6390

Human Rights Watch (HRW): News, 04/03/2022: Hungary: Smear Campaign Targets Critical Voices https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/04/hungary-smear-campaign-targets-critical-voices

Robert Schuman Foundation: European Elections Monitor: Analysis, 08/03/2022: Viktor Orban, who has been in power for twelve years, remains the favourite in the Hungarian general elections on April 3 https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/eem/1958-viktor-orban-who-has-been-in-power-for-twelve-years-remains-the-favourite-in-the-hungarian-general-elections-on-april-3

Balkan Insight: Analysis, 14/03/2022: War in Ukraine turns Hungary election campaign on its head https://balkaninsight.com/2022/03/14/war-in-ukraine-turns-hungary-election-campaign-on-its-head/

Foreign Policy: Dispatch, 14/03/2022: Hungary’s Orban Pivots Away From Putin as Elections Loom https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/03/14/hungary-orban-russia-war-election/

Heinrich Böll Foundation (Prague): Analysis, 25/03/2022: Orbán could win the election - and lose the world https://cz.boell.org/en/2022/03/25/orban-could-win-election-and-lose-world

Reuters: Analysis, 25/03/2022: Pre-election spending could haunt Hungary's Orban - or his successor https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pre-election-spending-could-haunt-hungarys-orban-or-his-successor-2022-03-25/

German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS): Insights, 28/03/2022: The Implications of Hungary’s Elections for its Euro-Atlantic Partners https://www.gmfus.org/news/implications-hungarys-elections-its-euro-atlantic-partners

Freedom House: Perspectives, 30/03/2022: Hungary’s Inflection Election https://freedomhouse.org/article/hungarys-inflection-election

European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR): Commentary, 31/03/2022: Alignment or isolation: Hungary’s foreign policy after its parliamentary election https://ecfr.eu/article/alignment-or-isolation-hungarys-foreign-policy-after-its-parliamentary-election/

openDemocracy: Analysis, 01/04/2022: Orbán is headed for victory at Hungary’s elections. So what comes next? https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/orban-hungary-elections-result-marki-zay/

The Economist: Europe, 02/04/2022: Hungary’s opposition struggles to beat Viktor Orban’s stealth autocracy https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/04/02/hungarys-opposition-struggles-to-beat-viktor-orbans-stealth-autocracy

European Policy Centre (EPC): Event, 04/04/2022: The result of the Hungarian election: What it means for Hungary and the EU [via Youtube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X5ycDc-d6k

The Guardian: Opinion, 04/04/2022: Orbán’s victory in Hungary adds to the darkness engulfing Europe https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/04/orbans-victory-in-hungary-adds-to-the-darkness-overshadowing-europe

RFE/RL, 04/04/2022: Six Takeaways From Fidesz And Orban's Big Hungarian Election Win https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-landslide-orban-takeaways/31785726.html

Project Syndicate: Commentary, 04/04/2022: Hungary's Manipulated Election https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/hungary-orban-reelection-manipulated-election-by-balint-magyar-and-balint-madlovics-2022-04

Deutsche Welle: Opinion, 04/04/2022: Orban needs to change course in Hungary https://p.dw.com/p/49RUI

Euronews, 04/04/2022: 'A victory so big you can see it from the moon... and Brussels,' says Hungary's Viktor Orban https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/04/04/a-victory-so-big-you-can-see-it-from-the-moon-and-brussels-says-hungary-s-viktor-orban

The Conversation, 04/04/2022: Viktor Orbán: Hungary’s controversial authoritarian prime minister secures yet another term in national election https://theconversation.com/viktor-orban-hungarys-controversial-authoritarian-prime-minister-secures-yet-another-term-in-national-election-180466

Human Rights Watch (HRW): News, 05/04/2022: Hungary: Ruling Party’s Lock On Power Threatens EU https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/05/hungary-ruling-partys-lock-power-threatens-eu

Robert Schuman Foundation: European Elections Monitor: Results, 05/04/2022: Viktor Orban wins for the fourth time in a row in Hungary's general elections https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/eem/1969-viktor-orban-wins-for-the-fourth-time-in-a-row-in-hungary-s-general-elections

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 05/04/2022: Hungary Enters a New Era of Autocracy https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/86809

The Conversation, 05/04/2022: Hungary: election triumph for Viktor Orbán is a warning to progressive parties seeking a marriage of convenience with the far right https://theconversation.com/hungary-election-triumph-for-viktor-orban-is-a-warning-to-progressive-parties-seeking-a-marriage-of-convenience-with-the-far-right-180196

Project Syndicate: Commentary, 05/04/2022: Why Orbán Won Again https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/orban-victory-in-hungary-reflects-popular-economic-policies-by-dorottya-szikra-and-mitchell-a-orenstein-2022-04

Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI): The Strategist, 05/04/2022: Manipulated election entrenches Hungary’s autocracy https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/manipulated-election-entrenches-hungarys-autocracy/

Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), 07/04/2022: Triumphant Orbán Thumbs his Nose at the West https://cepa.org/triumphant-orban-thumbs-his-nose-at-the-west/

EurActiv: Opinion, 08/04/2022: Political lessons from the latest Hungarian elections https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/opinion/political-lessons-from-the-latest-hungarian-elections/

Reuters: Explainer, 08/04/2022: What will the EU do about Hungary's Orban? https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/what-will-eu-do-about-hungarys-orban-2022-04-08/

Balkan Insight: Review, 08/04/2022: Democracy Digest: Aftermath of Hungary election https://balkaninsight.com/2022/04/08/democracy-digest-aftermath-of-hungary-election/

The Economist, 09/04/2022: Viktor Orban’s victory is a triumph for illiberal nationalism https://www.economist.com/europe/viktor-orbans-victory-is-a-triumph-for-illiberal-nationalism/21808575

RFI News, 09/04/2022: What can Europe learn from Orban's victory in Hungary's elections? https://www.rfi.fr/en/europe/20220409-what-can-europe-learn-from-orban-s-victory-in-hungary-s-elections-extreme-right-fidesz-party-media

UK House of Commons Library: Research Briefing, 11/04/2022: Hungary: 2022 general election https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9519/CBP-9519.pdf

Friedrich Ebert Foundation: IPS Journal, 11/04/2022: Interview: ‘Hungary stopped being a democracy some time ago’ https://www.ips-journal.eu/interviews/hungary-stopped-being-a-democracy-some-time-ago-5871/

Euronews, 12/04/2022: Soul searching for Hungary’s once 'neo-Nazi' Jobbik party https://www.euronews.com/2022/04/12/soul-searching-for-hungary-s-once-neo-nazi-jobbik-party

German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP): Online Commentary, 13/04/2022: Hungary's post-election balancing act https://dgap.org/en/research/publications/hungarys-post-election-balancing-act

Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW): Commentary, 15/04/2022: Electoral triumph for Fidesz, but a difficult term ahead https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2022-04-15/electoral-triumph-fidesz-a-difficult-term-ahead

IPPR Journal, 16/04/2022: How Putin’s War Influenced an Election https://ippr-journal.com/2022/04/16/how-putins-war-influenced-an-election/

Transparency International (Hungary): News, 19/04/2022: Orban’s Fidesz to overspend in Hungary’s election campaign https://transparency.hu/en/news/orbans-fidesz-to-overspend-in-hungarys-election-campaign/

Foreign Policy: Argument, 21/04/2022: Hungary Is an Outlier in Eastern Europe’s Liberal Future https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/04/21/hungary-outlier-eastern-europe-liberal-future/

The Atlantic: Letters, 22/04/2022: Hungary Defends Orbán’s Reelection https://www.theatlantic.com/letters/archive/2022/04/hungary-parliamentary-elections-viktor-orban/629621/

Europe Elects: Articles, 03/05/2022: Orbán, the Irresistible: How Hungary’s Strongman Won Big Again https://europeelects.eu/2022/05/03/orban-the-irresistible-how-hungarys-strongman-won-big-again/

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News

Hungary Today: Tag: 2022 General Elections https://hungarytoday.hu/tag/2022-general-elections/

EurActiv: Topics: Hungary general elections 2022 https://www.euractiv.com/topics/hungary-general-elections-2022/

Politico: Tag: Hungarian election 2022 https://www.politico.eu/tag/hungarian-election-2022/

Euronews: Tag: Hungary Election 2022 https://www.euronews.com/tag/hungary-election-2022

Reuters, 11/01/2022: Hungary sets April 3 election with PM Orban facing united opposition https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hungary-sets-april-3-election-with-pm-orban-facing-united-opposition-2022-01-11/

RFE/RL, 11/01/2022: Hungary Sets Vote For April With Orban Facing Tight Race https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-april-elections-orban/31649492.html

Deutsche Welle, 13/01/2022: Hungary: Civil society groups request election observers https://p.dw.com/p/45V6A

RFE/RL, 03/02/2022: Brussels Will Have Little Recourse If Hungarian Elections Aren't Free And Fair, EU Official Tells RFE/RL https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-elections-eu-recourse-jourova/31685387.html

EUObserver, 04/02/2022: Hungarian election will need scrutiny 'at all levels' https://euobserver.com/democracy/154302

BBC News, 16/02/2022: Hungarian election: Orban faces toughest race so far https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60385700

Associated Press, 15/03/2022: War in Ukraine is center stage at Hungary’s election rallies https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-hungary-moscow-budapest-32ddeb8323c3b6f674369168cdd4b1eb

The Guardian, 23/03/2022: Orbán casts himself as safe choice as ‘cruel, bloody war’ looms over Hungary’s election https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/23/orban-casts-himself-as-safe-choice-as-cruel-bloody-war-looms-over-hungarys-election

RFI News, 26/03/2022: A week before elections, Hungary's Orban remains the EU's enfant terrible https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20220326-a-week-before-elections-hungary-s-orban-remains-the-eu-s-enfant-terrible

France24, 01/04/2022: Hungarian PM Orban faces stern test in parliamentary election https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220401-hungarian-pm-orban-faces-stern-test-in-parliamentary-election

Associated Press, 03/04/2022: Hungary’s pro-Putin PM Orban claims victory in national vote https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-viktor-orban-europe-nato-budapest-e29b5d42a86086bb65b413e2b6d1c2bc

Deutsche Welle, 03/04/2022: Hungary: Orban declares victory in parliamentary election https://p.dw.com/p/49OQD

The Guardian, 03/04/2022: Viktor Orbán wins fourth consecutive term as Hungary’s prime minister https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/03/viktor-orban-expected-to-win-big-majority-in-hungarian-general-election

BBC News, 04/04/2022: Hungary election: PM Viktor Orban criticises Ukraine's Zelensky as he wins vote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60977917

Reuters, 04/04/2022: Orban scores crushing victory as Ukraine war solidifies support https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hungarians-vote-orbans-12-year-rule-tight-ballot-overshadowed-by-ukraine-war-2022-04-03/

BBC News, 04/04/2022: Hungary election: Viktor Orban's victory hailed by Putin https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60981648

Reuters, 04/04/2022: Orban's victory puts Hungary on collision course with EU https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweeping-ballot-win-sets-orban-collision-course-with-brussels-2022-04-04/

Politico, 04/04/2022: Hungarian election wasn’t a fair fight, observers say https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-election-level-playing-field-fair-observer/

Associated Press, 04/04/2022: Hungary’s Orban popular at home, isolated abroad after win https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-viktor-orban-europe-hungary-budapest-6480ac99541044d6ff08d8005cf725ca

Hungary Today, 04/04/2022: Referendum on “Child Protection” Invalid https://hungarytoday.hu/child-protection-referendum-invalid-result-outcome-hungary/

Hungary Today, 05/04/2022: OSCE: Hungary Elections Well-Run but Did Not Offer Level Playing Field https://hungarytoday.hu/osce-hungary-election-2022/

Budapest Business Journal (BBJ), 20/04/2022: President calls inaugural session of parliament on May 2 https://bbj.hu/politics/domestic/elections/president-calls-inaugural-session-of-parliament-on-may-2

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Official

Official Website of Hungary's National Election Office https://www.valasztas.hu/web/national-election-office/home

OSCE: ODIHR: Hungary: Parliamentary Elections and Referendum, 3 April 2022 https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/hungary/511441

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