AP

Hungary’s pro-Putin PM Orban claims victory in national vote

Apr 2, 2022, 9:55 AM | Updated: Apr 3, 2022, 3:36 pm

A lone supporter of opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay waits for preliminary results of the general ...

A lone supporter of opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay waits for preliminary results of the general election on a cold night in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarians voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)

(AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)


              A lone supporter of opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay waits for preliminary results of the general election on a cold night in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarians voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A bottle, right, carries a picture of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, with a slogan reading "Lies" next to a can with a picture of opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay during a gathering of supporters of the opposition waiting for the preliminary results of the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarian voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Placards of the opposition parties alliance reading "Only Upwards" are left next to a trash bin as few people braved a cold night to wait for preliminary election results during a gathering in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Early partial results in Hungary's national election are showing a strong lead for the right-wing party of pro-Putin nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban as he seeks a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Hungary's Prime Minister acknowledges cheering supporters during an election night rally in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Early partial results in Hungary's national election are showing a strong lead for the right-wing party of pro-Putin nationalist Orban as he seeks a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban addresses cheering supporters during an election night rally in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Early partial results in Hungary's national election are showing a strong lead for the right-wing party of pro-Putin nationalist Orban as he seeks a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarians flocked to polling places as voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarian voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarian voter in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay bows as he addresses supporters during an election night rally in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Early partial results in Hungary's national election are showing a strong lead for the right-wing party of pro-Putin nationalist Viktor Orban as he seeks a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's Prime Minister addresses cheering supporters during an election night rally in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Early partial results in Hungary's national election are showing a strong lead for the right-wing party of pro-Putin nationalist Orban as he seeks a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban greets cheering supporters during an election night rally in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Early partial results in Hungary's national election are showing a strong lead for the right-wing party of pro-Putin nationalist Orban as he seeks a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarians flocked to polling places as voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarian voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarian voter in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarians flocked to polling places as voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarian voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarian voter in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarians flocked to polling places as voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarian voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarian voter in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarians flocked to polling places as voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarian voters in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Ballots are being counted after polling stations closed for the general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungarian voter in the Central European country faced a choice: take a chance on a diverse, Western-looking coalition of opposition parties, or grant nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban a fourth consecutive term. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Chairman of the opposition Democratic Coalition party and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in company of his wife, MEP Klara Dobrev and one of their children cast their vote during the general election and national referendum on the child protection law in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, center, talks to the media after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay and members of his family wait to vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              People queue to vote in general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay shows his ballot papers prior to voting in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              Opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay, center left, and others vote in general election in Hodmezovasarhely, southern Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister,Viktor Orban leaves after casting his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban leaves the polling booth to cast his vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai, left, cast their vote for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Orban seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A person casts his ballot in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              A woman votes in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Elections posters and the Hungarian flag are seen outside a polling station for general election in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, seeks a fourth straight term in office, a coalition of opposition parties are framing the election as a referendum on Hungary's future in the West. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
            
              Election officials prepare a ballot box at a local polling station in Nagykanizsa, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022, before the start of the general election and national referendum on the child protection law. (Gyorgy Varga/MTI via AP)
            
              An election official checks a ballot box prior to sealing it at a local polling station in Nagykanizsa, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022, before the start of the general election and national referendum on the child protection law. (Gyorgy Varga/MTI via AP)

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared victory in Sunday’s national elections, claiming a mandate for a fourth term as a still incomplete vote count showed a strong lead for his right-wing party.

In a 10-minute speech to Fidesz party officials and supporters at an election night event in Budapest, Orban addressed a crowd cheering “Viktor!” and declared it was a “huge victory” for his party.

“We won a victory so big that you can see it from the moon, and you can certainly see it from Brussels,” said Orban, who has often been condemned by the European Union for overseeing democratic backsliding and alleged corruption.

While votes were still being tallied, it appeared clear that the question was not whether Orban’s Fidesz party would take the election, but by how much.

With around 91% of votes tallied, Orban’s Fidesz-led coalition had won 53%, while a pro-European opposition coalition, United for Hungary, had just over 34%, according to the National Election Office.

It appeared possible that Fidesz would win another constitutional majority, allowing it to continue making deep unilateral changes to the Central European nation.

“The whole world has seen tonight in Budapest that Christian democratic politics, conservative civic politics and patriotic politics have won. We are telling Europe that this is not the past, this is the future,” Orban said.

As Fidesz party officials gathered at an election night event on the Danube river in Budapest, state secretary Zoltan Kovacs pointed to the participation of so many parties in the election as a testament to the strength of Hungary’s democracy.

“We have heard a lot of nonsense recently about whether there is democracy in Hungary,” Kovacs said. “Hungarian democracy in the last 12 years has not weakened, but been strengthened.”

The contest had been expected to be the closest since Orban took power in 2010, thanks to Hungary’s six main opposition parties putting aside their ideological differences to form a united front against Fidesz. Voters were electing lawmakers to the country’s 199-seat parliament.

Yet even in his home district, opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay trailed the longtime Fidesz incumbent Janos Lazar by more than 12 points, with more than 98% of the votes counted there. It was a discouraging sign for the prime ministerial candidate who had promised to end to what he alleges is rampant government corruption, raise living standards by increasing funding to Hungary’s ailing health care and schools and mend frayed relations with the country’s Western partners.

In a surprise performance, radical right-wing party Our Homeland Movement appeared to have garnered more than 6% of the vote, exceeding the 5% threshold needed to gain seats in parliament.

Opposition parties and international observers have noted structural impediments to defeating Orban, highlighting pervasive pro-government bias in the public media, the domination of commercial news outlets by Orban allies and a heavily gerrymandered electoral map.

Edit Zgut, a political scientist at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, predicted that a clear victory for Orban would allow him to move further in an autocratic direction, sidelining dissidents and capturing new areas of the economy.

“Hungary seems to have reached a point of no return,” she said. “The key lesson is that the playing field is tilted so much that it became almost impossible to replace Fidesz in elections.”

The opposition coalition, United For Hungary, asked voters to support a new political culture based on pluralistic governance and mended alliances with the country’s EU and NATO allies.

Speaking to supporters in Budapest late Sunday, Marki-Zay conceded defeat but argued that Fidesz had won under a system of its own making.

“We never thought this would be the result. We knew in advance that it would be an extremely unequal fight,” Marki-Zay said. “We do not dispute that Fidesz won this election. That this election was democratic and free is, of course, something we continue to dispute.”

While Orban had earlier campaigned on divisive social and cultural issues, he dramatically shifted the tone of his campaign after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, and has portrayed the election since then as a choice between peace and stability or war and chaos.

While the opposition called for Hungary to support its embattled neighbor and act in lockstep with its EU and NATO partners, Orban, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has insisted that Hungary remain neutral and maintain its close economic ties with Moscow, including continuing to import Russian gas and oil on favorable terms.

At his final campaign rally Friday, Orban claimed that supplying Ukraine with weapons — something that Hungary, alone among Ukraine’s EU neighbors, has refused to do — would make the country a military target, and that sanctioning Russian energy imports would cripple Hungary’s own economy.

“This isn’t our war, we have to stay out of it,” Orban said.

The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Saturday depicted the Hungarian leader as out of touch with the rest of Europe, which has united to condemn Putin, support sanctions against Russia and send aid including weapons to Ukraine.

“He is virtually the only one in Europe to openly support Mr. Putin,” Zelenskyy said.

While speaking to supporters on Sunday, Orban singled out Zelenskyy as part of the “overwhelming force” that he said his party had struggled against in the election — “the left at home, the international left all around, the Brussels bureaucrats, the Soros empire with all its money, the international mainstream media, and in the end, even the Ukrainian president.”

Orban — a fierce critic of immigration, LGBTQ rights and “EU bureaucrats” — has garnered the admiration of right-wing nationalists across Europe and North America. He has taken many of Hungary’s democratic institutions under his control and depicted himself as a defender of European Christendom against Muslim migrants, progressives and the “LGBTQ lobby.”

Along with the election to parliament, a referendum on LGBTQ issues was being held Sunday. The questions pertained to sex education programs in schools and the availability to children of information about sex reassignment.

The Organization For Security and Cooperation in Europe sent a full observation mission to Hungary to monitor Sunday’s election, only the second time it has done so in a European Union country.

___

Associated Press writer Vanessa Gera in Warsaw contributed to this report.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

22 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

23 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

23 hours ago

islamic state attack...

Vanessa Gera, The Associated Press

What we know after the Islamic State group claims responsibility for Moscow massacre

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed at least 133 people.

4 days ago

Moscow shooting...

The Associated Press

Russia: 60 dead, 145 injured in concert hall raid; Islamic State group claims responsibility

Assailants burst into a concert hall in Moscow on Friday and sprayed the crowd with gunfire, killing over 60 people, injuring more than 100.

6 days ago

Photo: Britain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge visits 282 (East Ham) Squadron, RAF Air Cadets, Cornwel...

Associated Press

Kate Middleton announces she has cancer, is undergoing chemotherapy

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, says she is undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer. She has been out of view since Christmas.

6 days ago

Hungary’s pro-Putin PM Orban claims victory in national vote