Election 2018 – Former PM Gyurcsány: Electoral system skewed to ‘massively favour’ Fidesz

After meeting foreign election observers on Wednesday, Democratic Coalition (DK) leader Ferenc Gyurcsány said “every element” of Hungary’s “unacceptable and dishonest electoral system massively benefits the ruling Fidesz party”.

The opposition leader met Douglas Wake, head of a team of election observers delegated by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Gyurcsány insisted the April 8 general election would neither be free nor fair.

He noted the law was “unilaterally passed by Fidesz” and he accused Fidesz of using the central budget to promote itself.

Gyurcsány also noted that while ethnic Hungarians in other countries could cast their ballot by mail “without any controls”, Hungarian residents staying abroad “must make a huge effort to vote at an embassy or consular office”.

“Anyone can vote from across the border under someone else’s name, even using the identity of the deceased,” he said. “There’s no way to ensure voting transparency.”