Fidesz’ revenge on Budapest?

In the past ten years, Fidesz has ‘tinkered’ with the rules before every election in order to favour itself and influence the will of the voters, without any dialogue and without involving the opposition parties, explained Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony. Now the number of direct constituencies in Budapest is to be reduced from 18 to 16, so that the capital will be represented in parliament with much less weight compared to its population.

In view of the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2026, there is reason to worry that the Fidesz government could use its current ‘superiority’ to introduce electoral rules and changes to constituencies that serve the interests of those in power rather than a free election, Jobbik said. The so-called winner compensation and the redrawing of geographical boundaries of constituencies, which leads to artificial manipulation of constituencies, are problems that urgently need to be addressed in order to make the electoral system fairer.

Sneaky solution

László Sebián-Petrovszki (DK) described the proposal as a sneaky, mean and nonsensical solution, as there had been no public debate, no professional preparation and no consultation. Practically all districts in Budapest would be redistributed to ensure that opposition candidates do not win. For example, all districts (6th, 11th and 18th) in which the DK candidates are favourites would be dissolved. In contrast, it would suffice to change only those districts where the population had changed significantly.

Tímea Szabó (Párbeszéd) criticised that when such important proposals are received in a ‘rush job’ at 11 pm the night before or 45 minutes before the meeting, nobody can prepare for the debate in the committee. The hastily submitted proposal is a sign that Fidesz is afraid of the 2026 elections. In connection with the capital, it sees the current changes as revenge on Budapest.

Legalised electoral fraud

István Apáti (Mi Hazánk) described the change as legalised electoral fraud. He said it was undignified and humiliating that the proposal was submitted in the middle of the night. According to his calculations, this will make a difference of 4 seats in favour of Fidesz. In his opinion, the constituencies were only reorganised on the basis of electoral mathematics. Mi Hazánk will not support the proposal in parliament as it will only further distort the system. Momentum chairman Márton Tompos fears that this change is not the end of the reorganisation of the electoral system.

An unprecedented electoral fraud is being prepared, and it is being prepared in public, reacted MSZP MP Ágnes Kunhalmi to the proposed amendment to the electoral law. Every element of the amendment, the way it is being implemented and the changes being prepared in complete secrecy are unacceptable. The reorganisation of Budapest’s constituencies would penalise voters in the capital for not voting for the ruling party’s candidates.

Criticism too early

Gábor Pajtók (Fidesz), who is behind the bill, said it was not intended to satisfy the political ambitions of individual parties. The changes to the electoral laws are intended to make elections fairer and facilitate participation. He justified the change in electoral districts by saying that the population of Pest County had increased and that of Budapest had decreased. He considers the criticism to be premature.