2010 Hungarian presidential election
29 June 2010
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An indirect presidential election was held in Hungary on 29 June 2010.[1] Incumbent President László Sólyom was eligible for a second term, but none of those parties who had enough MPs to respectively do so nominated him again. Incumbent Speaker of the National Assembly Pál Schmitt was elected with two-third majority.
Background
Following the 2010 Hungarian parliamentary election, Fidesz came out with an overwhelming majority of seats. With a two-thirds majority requirement needed to elect the president, Fidesz was expected to win since it already had the necessary numbers.
Candidates
Nominations were due by midday of 25 June 2010; the Hungarian Socialist Party nominated university lecturer and Hungarian ambassador to Thailand András Balogh on 6 June 2010.[2][3] Fidesz and KDNP nominated National Assembly Speaker Pál Schmitt on 23 June 2010. Jobbik intended to nominate Krisztina Morvai,[4] and Politics Can Be Different wished to nominate incumbent President László Sólyom, but neither had enough MPs to respectively do so.[5][6]
Popular poll
Most Hungarians said they didn't think the President should be a member of any party. 48% of respondents said that the president's independence from the government is among the most important considerations for the office, though 46% said it is also important that the president be able to work well with the prime minister.
However, polling suggested that should the election be a popular one, Schmitt would get 32% of the vote, outgoing President László Sólyom would get 24%, Socialist Party nominee András Balogh would get 14% and Jobbik's Krisztina Morvai would get 6%. 24% said they would not vote for any of the candidates or declined to answer the question.[7]
Results
| Candidate | Party | First round | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | |||
| Pál Schmitt | Fidesz | 263 | 68.13 | |
| András Balogh | MSZP | 59 | 15.28 | |
| Valid votes | 322 | 83.41 | ||
| Invalid votes | 44 | 11.41 | ||
| Total | 366 | 94.82 | ||
| Absentees | 20 | 5.18 | ||
| Eligible voters/Turnout | 386 | 100 | ||
Reactions
Several Fidesz MP's expressed concern over the electoral outcome saying that though Schmitt was "a charmer and very capable person," they didn't feel he was right for the job because any mistake he may make would reflect poorly on Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had selected him.[9]
The President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek welcomed the election of Schmitt.[10]
References
- ^ "Hungarian ruling party proposes parliament elect president on June 29 - People's Daily Online". English.people.com.cn. 2010-06-07. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ^ "Hungary's parliament to elect president on June 29 - People's Daily Online". English.people.com.cn. 2010-06-10. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ^ MTI (2010-06-07). "Socialists hold congress, picks nominee for state president". Politics.hu. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ^ Around, Hungary (2009-12-18). "Jobbik names Vona as PM candidate, Morvai for state president". Politics.hu. Archived from the original on 2012-01-18. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ^ "The Budapest Times - Hungary's leading English Language source for daily news". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2010.. 2010-06-15.
- ^ Around, Hungary (2010-06-28). "Greens fail in drive to re-nominate state president". Politics.hu. Archived from the original on 2012-09-18. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ^ MTI (2010-06-28). "Fidesz nominee for president tops poll". Politics.hu. Archived from the original on 2012-09-18. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ^ MTI (2010-06-30). "Pal Schmitt elected new president of Hungary". Politics.hu. Archived from the original on 2011-08-17. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ^ http://www.politics.hu/20100630/fidesz-mps-express-concerns-over-schmitts-election-as-president Archived 2011-08-17 at the Wayback Machine >> Fidesz MPs express concerns over Schmitt's election as president
- ^ "Jerzy Buzek - Buzek on the election of the new Hungarian President Pál Schmitt". Europarl.europa.eu. 2010-06-29. Archived from the original on 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2011-08-05.