Just in time to fuel another round of speculation about early elections, a new concept of Fidesz’ proposals for new electoral rules emerged, supplanting an earlier proposal, which is still languishing in committee. In two parts, published this week and the coming week, we will review this proposal and its likely effects in detail. In part 1 below, we will discuss how ethnic Hungarians abroad will be integrated into the system, as well as the more stringent conditions concerning ballot access. The first is very likely to favour Fidesz, though it is difficult to predict whether it will have a major impact. Ballot access requirements go from too strict to openly disdainful of change: without access to the resources and known personalities of an established party, new forces have little hope to even enter into a race under the new regime.

Policy Solutions' analysis on the government's proposal on a new electoral law can be downloaded from here.