HUNGARY | Socialists overtake far-right Jobbik in popularity contest

Source: Portfolio.hu Friday, 3 February 2012, 19:59

Hungary’s left-wing parties have gained some popularity, while far-right Jobbik has turned less popular, the January survey by Medián showed on Thursday. The governing Fidesz party enjoys practically the same confidence of the voters than in the previous few months, local weekly HVG reported.

Among eligible voters, Fidesz enjoys a 26% support, unchanged from November and December 2011, i.e. the ruling party’s loss of popularity has stopped. Support for the Socialist Party (MSZP) rose to 15% from 11%, placing it before the far-right Jobbik party, whose popularity eroded from Dec11. The pollster registered a 2% support for the party led by former PM Ferenc Gyurcsány, the Democratic Coalition, among eligible voters.

Among voters with party preference the same tendencies can be observed, albeit not so strongly. The popularity of Fidesz and opposition green party LMP stagnated, while that of MSZP rose and Jobbik has become slightly less popular. Support for DC in this group is at the threshold necessary to make it to Parliament, at 5%.

73% of the respondents believe Hungary is going in the wrong way, which marks a moderate correction after a jump close to 80% from sub-70% levels in Nov-Dec. (There were no data available for those who see things going in the right direction and those who did not know or would not say what they think in this respect.)