Hungary’s quota referendum could be a success comparable to the 2008 “social referendum”, according to pollster Nézőpont Institute. The Budapest-based think tank representative public opinion poll completed on behalf of conservative weekly Heti Válasz shows that close to four-fifths (77 per cent) of Hungarians reject the mandatory resettlement of migrants to the country. The poll also points out that parties’ support has not changed substantially since April.
As the exact date of the quota referendum is yet to be disclosed, it is currently not possible to provide an accurate estimate of the population’s willingness to cast their vote. At present, it can only be recorded voter turnout at the referendum may reach three-fifths (62 percent) of the electorate. However, close to four-fifths (77 percent) of Hungarians are already opposed to migrants’ mandatory resettlement to Hungary. In comparison, a similar proportion of voters rejected all three questions at the so-called “social referendum”, initiated by Fidesz-KDNP as an opposition force in 2008 (82 percent voted against fees for visits to medical practitioners and tuition fees in higher education, while 84 percent rejected per diem fees for hospital treatment).
As far as April party preferences are concerned, Fidesz-KDNP is recorded at 29 percent within the total adult population. Jobbik is registered at 11 percent, while MSZP has 10, DK and LMP 4-4 each, Együtt 2, and PM 1 percent, while other parties are supported to the extent of 2 percent combined. Concealed and non-voters account for 37 percent of the population. Compared to April, changes in support for political parties remained within the margin of error. Within the entire adult population, the governing Fidesz-KDNP alliance is supported by 30 percent, Jobbik by 12 percent, MSZP by 9 per cent, DK by 5 per cent, LMP by 3 per cent, Együtt by 2 percent and PM by 1 percent of the population.
via nezopontintezet.hu; cover photo: nyugat.hu