Hungarians voted in large numbers Sunday in an election that is being keenly watched across Europe, with firebrand nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban tipped to win a third consecutive term and press ahead with his anti-immigration agenda. Orban has clashed with EU institutions over his rejection of the bloc's refugee resettlement scheme and his clampdown on civil society, while he has drawn plaudits from other nationalist politicians and those on the far right who look to him as an inspiration.
Most polling stations closed at 7pm local time (1700 GMT), but state TV said that some will stay open to accommodate a surge in turnout, which stood at 68.13 percent as of 6.30pm (1630 GMT), nine points higher than the same point in 2014. Preliminary results are expected to be delayed by the late voting at some stations.
Analysts say the high turnout, especially in opposition-leaning Budapest and other big cities, may help other parties to overcome a mainly first-past-the-post election system which disadvantages the divided opposition. Opinion polls before the vote had consistently put Orban and his right-wing Fidesz party 20 or more points clear of their nearest rivals, Jobbik, a far-right party that has been moving towards the centre, and the centre-left Socialists.
Orban and his wife voted early in the morning at a school in the leafy Zugliget suburb of Budapest. "This is a country which has always stepped up for itself, so we can trust in the people, I will accept their decision," he said. Meanwhile Jobbik leader Gabor Vona cast his ballot in the northeastern town of Gyongyos, saying that the result would "determine the fate of Hungary not just for four years but... for two generations".
Pensioner Karin, 65, said: "I'm voting Fidesz of course, who else? Orban is a blessing for the country, and also I think for the whole of Europe." But in one student neighbourhood in the capital, where long queues saw voters waiting up to an hour to cast their votes, the mood was predominantly anti-Fidesz. "We feel there is not enough freedom here, I know a lot of people who won't hang around if things don't change so I'm not surprised there is high turnout," said one voter who wished to remain anonymous.