Viktor Orban re-elected as Hungarian PM

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Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban will firmly remain in his seat for the next four years, putting the 54-year-old on track for his third consecutive term in office. Results so far are saying his political party Fidesz will win 133 of 199 seats in parliament, in what is exactly a two-thirds majority.

As the results started trickling in, smiles and joy spread among Fidesz supporters, as they gathered in downtown Budapest, only to erupt in open jubilation when prime minister Viktor Orban appeared.

After the crowd calmed down a bit, he confirmed Fidesz's victory.

Fidesz supporters celebrating victory in Budapest /CGTN Photo

“Good evening to everyone. Dear ladies and gentleman… We won,” Orban said.

“Concerning the results, what I can tell you tonight, my dear friends, big battle is behind us. We have won a crucial victory, giving ourselves a chance to defend Hungary.”

And it was a big night for Viktor Orban and his Fidesz-KDNP coalition. A landslide victory that left the entire opposition in the dust. A victory that will give Mr. Orban not just next four years in the office, but also a carte blanche to continue his current policies.

Victory expected

People queuing at the voting station in Budapest /CGTN Photo

Earlier in the day, people were queuing at voting stations throughout Hungary, waiting to cast their ballots. Many of them were open about their support for Orban and his party, like Tiborne Pasztor from Budapest.

“We hope Fidesz will win,” Tiborne said. ”We are old enough to say that Hungary needs Fidesz to govern because at the moment the country is going in a good direction.”

Another Budapest citizen, Janos Sulek, was more critical of Fidesz, but at the same time convinced in their victory.

“Fidesz exaggerated very much the issue of migrants. It hasn’t that much significance although they speak about it all the time on the radio and TV. But in general, I think the Hungarians are satisfied with the last eight years, so they’ll win again,” said Janos.

Helpless opposition

Ballot casting in Budapest /CGTN Photo

When the first turnout figures emerged, opposition leaders who were betting on a high turnout, were swept by the optimism. They’ve hoped that higher turnout would mean more votes for them and smaller percentage for Fidesz, as Gergő Karácsony, one of the leaders of Socialist party was claiming.

“The point is that during the early hours the turnout was above expectation. Therefore, we have all the reasons to suppose that the ultimate turnout will be more than 70 percent. In this case, it's highly possible the people who want change will be in majority – not just in society, but in the voting booths as well.”

But yet, all their hopes were crushed when later that night, the first results started pouring in. And they were catastrophic for the opposition. As a result, leaders of two biggest opposition parties, Jobbik and MSZP-PM, resigned the same night.

Voting in Budapest /CGTN Photo

So, if the new-old PM Viktor Orban does stick to his campaign promises, then in the next four years, Hungary will continue its tough policies on the EU, demanding disempowerment of Brussels, continue insisting on so-called “zero migrant policy,” as well as focus on strong economic development, with the latter being Hungary’s strongest point in the last several years.

And for the two thirds of those who voted, it seems like that’s the direction they’re supporting.