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Péter Magyar’s top MP candidates revealed: opera singer, zoo director, Shell vice-president
The top five on the national list matter because they’re the only names voters see on the ballot. In Hungary, every citizen gets two votes: one for a candidate in their local constituency, the other for a national party list.
Elections hinge on individual constituencies
Hungary’s electoral system boils down to this: who forms the government is decided in the 106 individual constituencies, sending that many MPs to parliament. The remaining 93 seats go by national list votes. Every voter has two ballots—one to back a local hopeful, the other for a nationwide list.
That’s why Péter Magyar and Viktor Orbán are pounding the pavements in constituencies. They know the real battle is there. Win at least half, and you’re in pole position to form a government. National lists only yield seats for parties clearing 5 per cent of the vote.
Orbán’s star-studded slate
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has already unveiled Fidesz’s top five.
- The premier heads the list,
- followed by ally Zsolt Semjén, KDNP leader.
- Third is László Kövér, the House speaker, then two women to balance the gender tally.
- Kinga Gál is not just female but Fidesz deputy chair;
- Alexandra Szentkirályi brings youthful flair as ex-deputy Budapest mayor, current city Fidesz group leader—and wife of defence minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.
Notably, none of these top five are contesting local seats.
