Election observers of Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) criticised xenophobic sentiment in Hungarian election campaign and an unbalanced media coverage. The “intimidating and xenophobic rhetoric, biased media and opaque campaign financing” would have restricted scope for “real political debates” before election, OSCE shared in Budapest.
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The election was organised “professionally and transparently”, it was said furr. Fundamental rights were also “broadly” respected. The election, however, has taken place in a total “hostile climate”. Access to information and freedom of press and assembly were also restricted.
The Government and governing parties had significantly more resources in electoral campaign, and election observers criticised fact. The Hungarian media had reported extensively on election. In opinion of OSCE, however, reporting was “strongly polarized” and hardly offered “critical analyses”. Public service broadcasting has also “clearly preferred” government coalition.
Orbán defends “Christian Europe”
The reigning Fidesz party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was by far strongest force at parliamentary election on Sunday at around 49 per cent. The 54-year-old can refore expect to build on a two-thirds majority in his third consecutive term, which enables constitutional changes.
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Orbán has been in Hungary since 2010. During election campaign he presented himself as a defender of national sovereignty and a “Christian Europe”, his policy has been pursuing a nationalist and anti-immigrant course for years. Critics accuse him of encroaching on constitutional principles with interventions in judicial system and in curtailment of press and freedom of expression.
