Hungary, Serbia Leaders Win Elections Held In Shadow Of Russia's War

Early projections suggest that the Prime Ministers of Hungary and Serbia will keep their posts in the wake of respective general elections held over the weekend, with both leaders fighting for re-election amid growing criticism of their attitudes towards Russia's war on Ukraine.

• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed a landslide victory, with early results suggesting his party was on track to keep its two-thirds constitutional majority in parliament. Pre-election polls pointed to a tighter race against the unified opposition, which fielded joint candidates in all single-seat constituencies. When this is being typed, more than 80% of votes have been counted and Fidesz-KDNP is projected to win 135 seats in the 199-strong parliament.
  • Hungary's electoral integrity has come under repeated criticism, with the electoral system implemented by Fidesz lawmakers giving disproportionate advantages to Orban's party. Furthermore, the election was held alongside a referendum intended to rally conservative voters behind the ruling party.
  • The election was held amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, with Hungary's Prime Minister criticised by his Western counterparts for his ties to Russian President Putin and dovish stance on sanctions against Moscow.
• Serbian Prime Minister Alexander Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party (SPP) appear to have secured expected victories in concurrent presidential and parliamentary elections. Early results showed Vucic scored around 60%, a number echoed by the President in an address to his supporters hours after polls closed, while the bloc led by his party won around 43% of the vote.
  • Vucic has treaded a tightrope in his response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Serbia supporting a UN resolution condemining Moscow, while refusing to join international sanctions targeting its traditional ally.