Orban's reign faces serious challenge

HUNGARIANS were yesterday casting ballots in what is widely seen as Europe's most consequential election this year, a vote that could unseat populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an ally of United States President Donald Trump, after 16 years in power.

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The voting is a key moment for Mr Orban, the European Union's longest-serving leader and one of its biggest antagonists, who has travelled a long road from his early days as a liberal, anti-Soviet firebrand to the Russia-friendly nationalist admired today by the global far-right.

Mr Orban and his top challenger, Peter Magyar, arrived at separate polling stations in Budapest, Hungary's capital, at nearly the same time yesterday to cast their votes.