Sawt Falasteen - Crunch Hungarian vote sees record turnout, with Orban's rule on line

The nationalist -- a self-described "thorn" in the EU's side and defender of "illiberal democracy" -- faces an unprecedented challenge from conservative political newcomer Peter Magyar, a former government insider who has promised a "system change".

The vote is closely watched, including across Europe and in the United States, with US President Donald Trump throwing his weight behind the EU's current longest-serving leader, who maintains close ties to Russia.

Polling closed at 7:00 pm local time (1700 GMT), with turnout reaching 77.8 percent at 6:30 pm, above the previous record of a total of 70.5 percent for the 2002 elections.

Analysts believe the high turnout could benefit Magyar.

A voter opinion survey by the Budapest-based think tank 21 Research Centre conducted this week and released after polls closed put the pro-European Tisza party of Magyar at 55 percent, ahead of Orban's Fidesz-KDNP coalition at 38 percent.

First results are expected soon after polls close, but if the race is tight the winner might not be declared until ballot counting is completely finished next Saturday, according to the National Election Office.

- 'Decisive' -

Both camps have alleged foreign interference during the campaign in the central European country of 9.5 million people. US Vice President JD Vance visited Budapest earlier this week to rally with Orban.

Orban, 62, who is seeking a fifth straight term, has transformed his country into a model of "illiberal democracy", publicly clashing with Brussels over rule of law issues, as well as over support for war-torn Ukraine.

Magyar, 45, burst onto the scene just two years ago, promising to fight corruption and offering better public services, amassing support against a backdrop of economic stagnation, despite an electoral system skewed in favour of Orban's Fidesz party.

"Now is our last chance to choose finally east or west. Do we want to be a normal democracy or turn back east with no point of return?" first-time voter David Banhegyi, 18, told AFP after casting his ballot for Magyar's party Tisza in a leafy part of Budapest.

After casting his ballot in the capital, Magyar called on Hungarians to vote in a "decisive election", before later insisting that "tonight the nightmare we have been living these past years will come to an end".

Orban has increasingly locked horns with Brussels, which accuses him of quashing dissent and eroding the rule of law and has frozen billions of euros in EU funding.

During his visit, Vance attacked the alleged interference in Hungary of Brussels "bureaucrats", while Trump has promised to bring US "economic might" to Hungary if Orban's party secures victory.

After casting his ballot, Orban repeated warnings of a "major crisis" awaiting Europe.

"Fortunately we have a lot of friends in the world. From America to China to Russia and the Turkish world," he said.

- 'Go to Moscow' -

But as Orban left the polling booth, he was greeted by protesters taunting him about his Russian ties.

"We printed a boarding pass for the Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Moscow. If he loses tonight, then he can still go to Moscow," 32-year-old demonstrator Eniko Toth told AFP.

Orban has focused on making Ukraine the central topic of his campaign, portraying the neighbouring country, which is fighting off a Russian invasion, as "hostile" to Hungary.

He also vowed to continue his crackdown against "fake civil society organisations, bought journalists, judges (and) politicians".

Maria Toth, a 31-year-old stay-at-home mother of two, told AFP at a Budapest polling station that "it is so important for us that Viktor Orban stays in power".

"I feel Hungary is under siege from so many directions and big powers like Brussels are trying to dictate how we live," she added.

"If Fidesz wins now, that will clearly mean... a shift towards authoritarianism," Andrea Szabo, a senior research fellow at ELTE University's Centre for Social Sciences, told AFP.

"The will of the people must always be recognised," Orban said after casting his ballot.

After voting, Magyar called on voters to report suspected vote-buying, intimidation or other violations, while urging calm.

O.Farraj--SF-PST