Hungarian PM Viktor Orban calls on country to cast their votes

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has asked for widespread support in the country’s ongoing parliamentary elections, in order to continue his political programme. The leader of conservative-right party Fidesz is ahead of his rivals by some margin, according to opinion polls. Orban told reporters: “A higher turnout would allow stronger governance. It really matters how big the majority is on which the parliamentary majority is formed. So I hope many voters will turn up to cast their votes, and whatever government is formed, it can start working with strong public support and experience.” One of the main opposition candidates, Socialist leader Attila Mesterhazy arrived at a polling station in western Hungary with his family to cast his vote. Latest opinion polls put him on around 20 percent of the vote. But he could be pushed all the way by Gabor Vona, the leader of Hungary’s far-right party Jobbik. Currently on around 14 percent, a strong late surge could still produce a real upset. But even coming just behind the Socialists would count as a victory for Jobbik, who have been accused of anti-Semitic views and stirring up antipathy to the country’s Roma minority. Whoever wins, the country hopes for modern progress without abandoning their traditional values.