The Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) looked in pole position to become the first party in Hungary to serve two consecutive terms since the fall of communism, after coming out ahead on Sunday in the first round of the general election
"Whichever way I look at these numbers, I see that the MSZP won the first round," MSZP leader Ferenc Gyurcsany told a crowd of supporters at the party's election headquarters. "We won, and this means Hungary will also win."
With 99.5 percent of the votes counted, the MSZP emerged with 109 seats -- including four won jointly with the Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) -- compared to the main opposition party Fidesz's 97 seats.
The MSZP polled 43.26 percent of the votes for party lists in the first parliamentary elections since Hungary joined the EU, compared to 42.11 percent for the conservative opposition Fidesz party.
Fidesz leader Viktor Orban remained upbeat and urged his supporters to redouble their efforts for the second round.
In 2002 elections, Fidesz lost but was able to narrow the gap from the first-round election to the second round.
"We have a real chance of winning," Orban proclaimed. "A match lasts 90 minutes, and we are only at halftime. We have to fight, and I urge everyone to work harder."
Analysts said that the gap was not decisive and agreed that Fidesz had a chance to make up the deficit.
Who governs could be decided by the smaller parties, the Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) and the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF).
Both parties appeared to have exceeded the 5 percent threshold required to enter Parliament.
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