[DIV class=headline]Hungary Socialists in narrow lead
Hungary's governing Socialists have taken a narrow lead after the first round of the general election despite a strong challenge from conservatives.
The elections are Hungary's first as a member of the European Union. The final outcome of the elections will be decided after a second round of voting on 23 April. The next government faces the task of tackling a soaring budget deficit, rising unemployment and a weakening of the currency, the forint. [DIV class=bo] 'Rollercoaster ride' Two other parties have passed the 5% threshhold to enter parliament and are expected to drive hard bargains in order to form any coalition. The liberal Free Democrats and the conservative Democratic Forum could be called upon to form a government by either the Socialists or the centre-right Fidesz party. "This was a rollercoaster ride for Hungarian democracy - a governing party clinging to the power it won four years ago, an opposition battling to reach almost a dead heat and two potential king-makers in the second round," said the BBC's Nick Thorpe in Budapest. More voters than expected cast ballots, he said. It is Hungary's fifth parliamentary election since the return of democracy in 1990.
[DIV class=bo] Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany, 44, has tried to combine free markets and privatisations with a welfare system to help Hungary's poor. He was a millionaire businessman before entering politics. The conservative Fidesz Hungarian Civic Union of ex-Prime Minister Viktor Orban has advocated more protectionist policies to help Hungarian entrepreneurs. The Democratic Forum's leader Ibolya David said she would only serve in a coalition if she was able to serve as prime minister. Experts say far-reaching reforms are needed to prepare Hungary for adoption of the euro as planned in 2010. Streamlined blocs Hungary's complicated electoral system combines a British first-past-the-post model with proportional representation. Slightly less than half the 386 seats in the single chamber are decided in individual constituencies. District and national party lists also contribute to the final composition. But despite its complexity, the Hungarian political scene has witnessed a growing streamlining over the years. Two major parties have emerged: the Socialists and their arch-rivals, the centre-right Fidesz. This election has become a battle between the very different personalities of Mr Gyurcsany and Mr Orban, a former student activist who has marshalled almost the whole centre-right of Hungarian politics behind him.
[DIV class=footer]Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/4892590.stm
Published: 2006/04/09 22:28:17 GMT
© BBC MMVI
[img height=152 alt="Hungarian women, wearing traditional dress, vote in polling station in Holloko" hspace=0 src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41540000/jpg/_41540638_womenap203body.jpg" width=203 border=0] [DIV class=cap]Hungary's Socialists have taken an early lead
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[DIV class=cap] [img height=152 alt="Supporters of the MSZP Party in Budapest" hspace=0 src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41540000/jpg/_41540068_hungary_ap_story203.jpg" width=203 border=0] [DIV class=cap]The election is held in two stages
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