AFP, Budapest

Nationalist Hungarian PM Viktor Orban faced a tough challenge with a united opposition in an unpredictable general election yesterday, after a campaign dominated by Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. The six main opposition parties are for the first time fielding a joint list, determined to roll back the “illiberal” revolution Orban’s Fidesz party has pursued during 12 consecutive years in office. That has involved repeated confrontations with EU institutions, including over the neutering of the press and judiciary, and measures targeting the LGBT community. By early afternoon turnout stood at 40 percent, down slightly from the record participation seen at the last national polls in 2018.