Record numbers of Hungarians voted Sunday in an election considered the most crucial in years.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán faces a tough challenge from Peter Magyar, who has promised to improve relations with the European Union and crack down on endemic corruption. Voting was marred by accusations of fraud from both sides.
Two hours before polls closed the election commission reported a voter turnout of just over 74%, a record high more than the 62% who voted in the same interval in the last election four years ago.
The election is significant as it could mean the end of the 16-year premiership of Viktor Orbán, the nationalist leader of the hard-right party, Fidesz.
Orbán has long been antagonistic towards the EU and has used his his veto power to challenge key decisions.
In March for example, he blocked a previously agreed €90 billion loan for Ukraine over a dispute involving the Druzhba pipeline.
Magyar, who founded the Tisza Party two years ago, has pledged to restore Hungary’s broken ties with the EU and NATO.
Tisza is leading in most opinion polls and Magyar is a conservative but not an isolationist.
In a sign of the high stakes, Orbán supporters are already preparing for a confrontation once the results come in after voting stations close at 7 p.m. Both camps are exchanging accusations of electoral fraud, with experts warning the outcome could be challenged in court no matter who wins.
Donald Trump must have lied as America has become dependent on Ukraine
