Voters had the option to choose from a number of candidates, but “intimidating and xenophobic rhetoric, media bias and opaque campaign financing” hindered real political debate, OSCE election monitor Douglas Wake told a press conference assessing the ballot.
 

Gergely Gulyás, group leader of ruling Fidesz, said in reaction that the OSCE had “overstepped its authority” with some of its findings.

 “It’s not within the OSCE’s remit to express an opinion about the Hungarian election campaign, and wrangling with the ruling parties that oppose migration and voicing an opinion on the government’s campaign is especially uncalled for,” Gulyás told MTI.

“Opposing immigration is not xenophobia but rather a life instinct,” he said.