The paper noted that in the 2014 elections, too, voters were confronted by huge numbers of new political formations. At that time 147 parties were trying to get into parliament.

Psephologist Zoltán Tóth told the paper that nothing has changed in election rules since 2014 and there are no obstacles in the way of setting up “fake parties”.

Party lists can still be established by parties that field at least 27 individual constituency candidates in nine counties and in Budapest.

The paper noted that despite allegations swirling around fake parties, with 187 investigations launched, no arrests have been made.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.