Master plan leaked? New electoral law may make PM Orbán invincible in Hungary and the EU
The Hungarian government denies all news concerning a fundamental change in Hungary’s electoral law, resulting in 7-10 seats in the Hungarian Parliament for PM Viktor Orbán’s co-ruling Fidesz-KDNP alliance. Meanwhile, some news outlets argue the government is measuring the pros and cons of a relevant modification and regard France’s electoral system as an example. However, they would only take out elements favouring them.
Millions of Hungarians live abroad
The Hungarian electoral system struggles with multiple challenges. First, the constituencies did not follow population changes. The 2011 law allows a maximum of 15% difference in plus or minus from the average. For example, in Pest County, the constituencies are very populous thanks to the migration of the Budapest locals due to the high property prices. Meanwhile, Tolna County has three constituencies, but its number of residents is only enough for two.
As a result, the Hungarian electoral system could be reformed to create a better, more democratic framework. According to Válasz Online, the Hungarian government led by PM Viktor Orbán is up to something more.
There are millions of Hungarians living abroad. Some have Hungarian addresses because they were born in the country but left it, surveys tell prominently due to the low wages to work in the West. They can cast their ballots, but only if they do so at a Hungarian embassy or consulate. In some countries, that is challenging. Thus, many local Hungarians living and working in West Europe or the USA do not vote.
Photo: depositphotos.com
The case of Hungarians living in the Carpathian basin beyond the borders of Hungary is different. They live in regions formerly part of Hungary. They were born there, retained their national identity, and after a 2010 modification, acquired Hungarian citizenship easier.
They can vote via mail, so the voting process is much easier. For example, a Hungarian born in Szombathely and sharing a Liverpool flat with his mate born in Sepsiszentgyörgy (Transylvania) can vote, provided he travels to one of the Hungarian consulates or embassies in the UK, while his Transylvanian friend can vote via mail. In the 2024 European Parliamentary elections, Péter Magyar’s opposition party beat Fidesz at the embassies and consulates with 50.8%. Meanwhile, Fidesz received less than 20%. The national outcome was 44.8% for Fidesz and 29.6% for Péter Magyar’s Tisza Party.
New electoral law could mean 7-10 mandates for Fidesz
Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians living in the Carpathian basin participated in the 2022 general elections. More than 93% of them chose Orbán and Fidesz. And Hungary’s strongman would rely on them to secure his seat in 2026, Válasz Online argues.
The Hungarian news outlet wrote that based on their informants, Orbán cabinet experts were measuring a modification following the French example. That would mean the creation of at least seven new constituencies beyond the borders because around 70 thousand people elect one MP in Hungary’s 199-seat Parliament, and there are half a million eligible people in the Carpathian basin. Based on Válasz Online, the new system would not mean that Hungarians living or working in Western Europe or the USA could elect MPs to the Hungarian Parliament. The new constituencies would be in the Carpathian basin.
Woman voting in Kolozsvár, Romania. Photo: FB
Péter Magyar, the new leader of the anti-Orbán opposition (previously a high-ranked member of Fidesz and the ex-husband of former Justice Minister Judit Varga), broke the news about the possible electoral law modification. Since Fidesz has more than 90% abroad and the extra votes not needed for the victory strengthen the party lists, we can say that such a new system could give more than seven more parliamentary seats to Orbán’s Fidesz. If the number of parliament members did not change, such a modification would make a victory over Fidesz more difficult in 2026. Ákos Hadházy, a prominent member and an MP of the Hungarian opposition, talked about a plan of 7+2 constituencies in Transylvania and Serbia.
The government denies
Mátyás Bódi, an expert of Választási Földrajz (Electoral geography), told RTL Klub that the co-ruling Fidesz-KDNP could secure even ten mandates for the next parliamentary period and even a weaker result could gain a supermajority for Orbán.
The Justice Ministry denied that they were mulling over the creation of new constituencies abroad. They called it a gossip.
Válasz Online added that all changes in the Hungarian electoral law concerning parliamentary or municipal elections favoured Fidesz between 2010 and 2024.
Read also:
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Featured image: Viktor Orbán casting his ballot in 2010.
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7 Comments
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
The elections in Hungary will be the same as in Russia…..the Viktator can’t loose
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
History NEVER Lies.
In the 15 years under the Victor Mihaly. Orban – the Fidesz “Regime” Government of Hungary – we KNOW the changes, the MANIPULATION processes TAKEN by Victor Mihaly. Orban in the subject of this article under Electoral law(s) – that EFFECTIVELY resulted in Orban – Fidesz placing them-selves with Total POWERS in the election process in Hungary.
Hungarians – we HAVE “signed off” to this FACT, in the re-appointment of this “Heinous” Government, that have delivered us to a place of as a country that is a Catastrophe.
ARE we NOT in a Financial & Economic place of CHAOS ?
Who are RESPONSIBLE for this – my opinion – CHAOS ?
WHO are PARALYIZED – to REVERSE this WORSENING trend of the over-all DECLINE of Hungary ?
Hungarians – we gave them POWER to CHANGE electoral Laws and the subject of this article – the “Rot” of Fidesz, from it’s Leader, the Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Mihaly. Orban – his Fidesz Government – they WILL to there ADVANTAGE “surge on” – with there Master Plan, the “doctoring” up of electoral laws – that SECURE them in Government.
Solidarity – raise our VOICES – rise up Together – if YOU care for the FUTURE of Hungary – that MUST “partner” the West, and be a DEMOCRACY.
Repulsive.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Partnering with the West for so called democracy will be the death blow to Hungary. Ask them in Germany, Sweden, France, Italy & Spain how they’re enjoying all that democracy. Ask them how their quality of life is under their democratically elected leadership? Some of them cannot answer due to their right of free speech being eliminated, yes, what a wonderful ‘democracy’ they have.
There are no Utopia’s there never have been. The grass is not greener on the other side. Hungary however does have a better quality to it’s daily life than the above mentioned nations. Interesting that the commentator didn’t propose a Central/Eastern European solution to the supposed problems but instead chose to remedy the situation by screaming for ‘partnering’ with proven failures now in the midst of their own demise and most certainly, in the midst chaos. Think for yourselves Hungary.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
I blame my fellow Hungarian citizens for Orban’s erosion of democracy.
We are apathetic about democracy, we didn’t fight for it and we don’t respect. Democracy requires vigilance and maintenance.
We have the government we deserve, a kleptocracy that is controlling the hungarian sheep population. Another sad day for the Hungarian people. The true Hungarian patriots of 1956 ashamed of us.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
What is it – 3.1 million and rising, living in POVERTY – Hungary.
Insolvent Government – nothing to INVEST.
Economy on it’s KNEE’s.
Could write a Dissertation with EASE – being titled – “The Botch Up of Hungary – Its Destruction caused by Victor Mihaly. Orban.”
Come the next National Elections – what will day to day life REPRESENT in Hungary ?
Ugly – Scary.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Everytime I write a comment, DNH website says I said this before, regardless of the subject or message. DNH is a big part of Hungary’s problem , the media is not free.
Shame of DNH for helping Orban’s erosion of democracy.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
@Bernard, I’ll stand up for DNH, they offer balanced reporting and I have a good opinion of it. They don’t deserve your criticism and if you don’t like it, why are you here?
@Asa Meister, you’re off your trolley if you think that Hungary offers a higher living standard than the countries you list. It categorically doesn’t, certainly not for working people earning a Hungarian wage. For digital nomads and retirees, quite possibly as Hungary overall remains a lower cost country, but they remain a very small percentage of the population, in itself evidence of the fact that the standard of living in Hungary isn’t too good. Looking at the stats I was shocked by how FEW resident citizens Hungary has from western countries, moreover, the quantity of EU resident citizens has actually declined, despite the supposed ongoing disintegration of western Europe! The latter is surprising when you consider the degree to which Hungarian incomes have increased, but speaks as to the general malaise and weakening Hungarian living standards; massive rent increases and the collapse in the quality of public sector services has much to do with this even if on paper real salaries are rising. Those wage increases are entirely eaten up by the cost of housing, food and the frequent need to pay for private healthcare.