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  • Vatican City (AFP) - 04/08/2018 - 13:02

    Pope Francis condemns the use of chemical weapons in Syria

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/08/2018 - 10:16

    Moscow denies claims Syrian regime used chemical weapons in Douma: agencies

  • Beirut (AFP) - 04/08/2018 - 09:28

    New air strikes hit rebel-held areas of Syria's Ghouta: monitor

  • Budapest (AFP) - 04/08/2018 - 06:18

    Polling stations open for key Hungary vote

  • Curitiba (Brazil) (AFP) - 04/08/2018 - 03:38

    Brazil's Lula arrives at Curitiba prison

  • São Bernardo do Campo (Brazil) (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 23:54

    Brazil's Lula surrenders to police: Globo TV

  • São Bernardo do Campo (Brazil) (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 22:16

    Supporters prevent Brazil's Lula from surrendering

  • Beirut (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 22:16

    Air strikes kill 30 civilians in Syria's rebel Douma: monitor

  • Aden (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 21:27

    Rebels kill dozens of Sudanese troops in Yemen: military sources

  • Berlin (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 20:43

    'No indication' of Islamist attack in deadly German vehicle incident: state minister

  • Berlin (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 19:24

    Driver who smashed van into German crowd 'psychologically disturbed': reports

  • Berlin (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 18:04

    Four dead including driver after vehicle hits crowd in Germany: ministry

  • São Bernardo do Campo (Brazil) (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 17:49

    Brazil's Lula says to "comply" with arrest

  • São Bernardo do Campo (Brazil) (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 17:36

    Lula says he is innocent in first speech since arrest order

  • Berlin (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 17:22

    Driver of vehicle that drove into German crowd has killed himself: police

  • Berlin (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 16:56

    Several dead as car drives into crowd in Germany's Munster: media 

  • Jodhpur (India) (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 11:46

    Indian court grants bail to Bollywood star Salman Khan

  • Beirut (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 11:22

    New strikes on Syria's rebel Douma kill 8 civilians: monitor

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 04/07/2018 - 07:32

    Palestinian journalist shot by Israeli troops dies from wounds: ministry

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 22:26

    Russia promises 'tough response' to US sanctions

  • São Bernardo do Campo (Brazil) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 22:05

    Deadline for Brazil's Lula to surrender for prison expires

  • New York (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 22:04

    Dow ends bruising session 2.4% lower on trade war fears

  • Bamako (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 21:54

    14 'terrorism' suspects killed in Mali escape attempt: army

  • Brasília (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 21:29

    Brazilian court turns down Lula's new appeal against arrest

  • New York (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 21:07

    US stocks fall further on trade worries; Dow -3.0%

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 20:50

    Facebook to require verified identities for political ads

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 20:28

    White House warns China tariffs not a negotiating ploy

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 20:27

    New US sanctions 'aimed at the Russian people': Russian embassy

  • New York (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 19:58

    US stocks' losses deepen on trade war fears; Dow -2.0%

  • London (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 18:13

    Britain refuses visa for Russian ex-spy's niece: official

  • Beirut (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 17:50

    27 civilians dead in air strikes on Syria's Douma: monitor

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 17:07

    16-year-old Palestinian killed by Israeli forces in Gaza clashes: ministry

  • Paris (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 16:50

    $11 bn pledged at Lebanon donor conference: Macron

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 16:49

    Trump says WTO is unfair to US

  • Beirut (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 15:46

    Two civilians dead in air raids on Syria's rebel Douma: monitor

  • New York (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 15:39

    US stocks open lower on US-China trade spat, Dow -0.9%

  • Beirut (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 15:31

    Air strikes hit Syria's rebel-held Douma, first in 10 days: monitor

  • London (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 14:58

    Ex-spy Skripal 'improving rapidly' after poisoning: hospital

  • Khan Yunis (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 14:43

    Palestinian killed by Israeli forces in Gaza clashes: ministry

  • Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 14:42

    15 killed in Nigeria bank robbery, attack on police station

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 14:37

    US imposes sanctions on Putin's oligarch allies

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 14:36

    US job creation tumbles in March; unemployment steady at 4.1%

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 14:35

    Trump won't attend White House correspondents' dinner

  • Neumünster (Germany) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 14:12

    Puigdemont urges Madrid to 'start dialogue' in Catalonia row

  • Neumünster (Germany) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 14:00

    Catalonia's Puigdemont leaves German jail on bail

  • Paris (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 13:31

    S.Arabia renews $1bn line of credit for Beirut: Lebanese govt

  • Brussels (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 13:18

    China, EU 'must act together' against US protectionism: Chinese envoy

  • Brussels (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 12:52

    Up to 2.7 million Europeans affected by Facebook data scandal: EU

  • Durban (South Africa) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 11:20

    S.Africa's Zuma says charges against him 'politically motivated'

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 11:19

    Clashes erupt along Gaza-Israel border as protests begin

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 10:08

    Russian regulator requests Telegram messaging app be blocked: statement

  • Durban (South Africa) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 09:55

    Graft case against S.Africa's Zuma adjourned to June 8

  • Paris (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 09:29

    France announces loans, aid worth 550 mln euros for Lebanon

  • Durban (South Africa) (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 09:01

    S.Africa's Zuma arrives at court for graft hearing: AFP

  • Seoul (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 09:00

    S. Korea ex-president Park jailed for 24 years over corruption scandal bur/amz/sm

  • Seoul (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 08:30

    S. Korea ex-president Park guilty of abuse of power, bribery: court

  • Beijing (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 07:14

    China ready to pay "any cost" in trade war: Ministry of Commerce

  • Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 06:21

    Malaysian PM announces dissolution of parliament for election

  • Caracas (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 03:10

    Venezuela suspends flights by Panama's Copa for three months

  • Tokyo (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 03:02

    Japanese studio confirms death of anime master Isao Takahata

  • Panama City (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 02:01

    Panama orders Venezuela ambassador out, recalls own envoy from Caracas

  • Seoul (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 01:52

    Samsung Electronics flags record $14.7 billion Q1 operating profit

  • Bamako (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 01:45

    Two peacekeepers dead, 10 wounded in Mali attack: UN

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 01:21

    White House calls on Gaza demos to avoid border

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 01:00

    Trump eyes $100 billion of additional tariffs on China: White House

  • Caracas (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 00:25

    Venezuela risks deeper isolation by suspending ties with Panama airline

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/06/2018 - 00:23

    Trump to host Qatari Emir in bid to end Gulf crisis: WH

  • Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 23:23

    Brazil judge issues warrant to imprison ex-president Lula

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 23:13

    Trump says he did not know about payment to porn star

  • Mexico City (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 23:07

    'Threats, lack of respect' unjustified, Mexican president tells Trump

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 22:57

    Trump vows to send 2,000 to 4,000 troops to Mexican border

  • Berlin (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 19:24

    German court refuses to extradite Catalonia's Puigdemont: official

  • Geneva (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 18:16

    China launches WTO challenge against US intellectual property tariffs

  • Rome (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 17:54

    Italy president says no govt accord, new talks next week

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 17:01

    Major fire at Istanbul hospital, patients evacuated: TV

  • Ottawa (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 16:09

    Trudeau sees high chance of NAFTA deal with US, Mexico

  • Petrozavodsk (Russia) (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 16:07

    Russian historian cleared of child porn charges

  • London (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 15:13

    Poisoned Russian spy's daughter says growing stronger 'daily': statement

  • Madrid (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 14:40

    Spain judge frees HSBC leaker Falciani on bail: judicial source

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 14:39

    US trade deficit rises despite record American exports

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 14:35

    Four staff dead in Turkish university shooting: reports

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 12:07

    Israel says open-fire rules for Gaza unchanged for new protests

  • Paris (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 12:07

    French, Malian troops kill 30 jihadists: French military

  • Freetown (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 11:46

    Challenger Bio wins S. Leone presidential vote: election watchdog

  • Paris (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 10:54

    Saudi crown prince on official visit to France next week: French presidency

  • Jodhpur (India) (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 10:53

    Court jails Bollywood star Khan for five years

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 10:30

    Palestinian killed by Israeli air strike on Gaza border: ministry

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 09:24

    UK can't ignore 'legitimate questions' over spy poisoning: Moscow

  • Jodhpur (India) (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 08:49

    Bollywood superstar Salman Khan convicted of killing rare antelopes

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 05:43

    Expelled diplomats leave US embassy in Moscow: AFP

  • Brasília (AFP) - 04/05/2018 - 05:31

    Brazil Supreme Court rejects Lula's bid to delay prison

  • San Francisco (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 23:15

    Zuckerberg says he is right person to lead Facebook despite 'mistakes'

  • New York (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 22:06

    US stocks jump as investors reassess trade war risk, Dow +1.0%

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 21:28

    Trump orders National Guard to Mexican border: official

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 20:56

    Data on 'up to 87 million' Facebook users shared with UK firm

  • The Hague (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 19:48

    Russia says OPCW voted down joint poisoning probe bid

  • Madrid (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 19:27

    HSBC leaker Herve Falciani detained in Spain: police

  • Brasília (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 19:12

    Brazil Supreme Court opens session on Lula bid to delay prison

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 18:46

    Russia requests Security Council meeting on spy poisoning

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 17:32

    Syria mission coming to 'rapid end' but not over yet: WHouse 

  • Matías Romero (Mexico) (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 17:22

    Migrant caravan abandons plan to travel to US border

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 15:53

    One year on, West vows Assad will pay for sarin attack

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 15:39

    Decision made on Syria pullout, announcement soon: US intel chief

  • New York (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 15:36

    US stocks open sharply lower on trade war fears

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 15:32

    Putin urges 'common sense' to prevail in row over poisoned spy

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 15:13

    Turkey, Russia and Iran urge 'lasting ceasefire' in Syria

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 14:47

    Facebook CEO Zuckerberg to testify before Congress April 11: panel

  • Brussels (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 13:26

    France to extend internal EU border checks: EU Commission

  • Manama (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 13:21

    Bahrain announces discovery of 80 bn barrels of oil

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 12:34

    Iran, Russia, Turkey leaders begin summit on Syria

  • The Hague (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 11:49

    Britain slams 'perverse' Russian plan for joint poisoning probe

  • Douala (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 11:20

    12 European hostages freed in troubled anglophone Cameroon

  • Brussels (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 11:07

    Eurozone unemployment falls to 8.5% in February

  • Beijing (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 10:10

    China to hit US soybeans, cars, planes with retaliatory tariffs

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 09:52

    Russia says spy poisoning 'grotesque provocation' by UK, US

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 09:52

    Russia intel chief warns against 'new' Cuban Missile Crisis

  • Beijing (AFP) - 04/04/2018 - 01:23

    China says ready to retaliate to US tariff plan: Xinhua

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 23:20

    US identifies $50 bn in Chinese imports facing tariffs

  • San Francisco (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 22:44

    Police confirm 'active shooter' at YouTube offices

  • San Francisco (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 22:32

    Police probe possible shooting at YouTube's California offices

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 20:20

    Trump says he wants US troops 'out' of Syria

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 20:13

    Russia, Turkey agree to speed up delivery of S-400s: Putin

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 20:06

    Putin hopes arms watchdog meeting to put 'full stop' on spy case

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 19:07

    Trump claims 'nobody's been tougher' on Russia than him

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 19:01

    Trump vows to deploy military to Mexican border

  • New York (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 18:56

    Spotify valued at $29.5 billion in stock debut

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 18:27

    One peacekeeper killed, 11 wounded in C. Africa attack: UN

  • London (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 18:15

    UK accuses Russia of using arms watchdog meeting as 'diversionary tactic'

  • London (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 17:27

    UK scientists unable to prove nerve agent was Russian-made: reports

  • Paris (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 17:22

    France's SNCF warns of major rail strike disruption on Wednesday 

  • London (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 17:16

    Britain's Prince Philip, 96, admitted to hospital for hip surgery: official

  • Brussels (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 16:31

    Half of European flights face delays after computer failure: Eurocontrol

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 16:15

    Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces on Gaza border: ministry

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 16:05

    Putin, Erdogan launch construction of Turkey's first nuclear power plant

  • The Hague (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 15:59

    Malian jihadist in court for war crimes on Wednesday

  • The Hague (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 14:14

    OPCW to meet over Britain-Russia spy poisoning case

  • Geneva (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 12:44

    UN urges Israel to 'reconsider' cancellation of African migrant deal

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 11:58

    Israel cancelling deal with UN on African migrants: Netanyahu

  • Berlin (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 10:36

    German prosecutor requests Puigdemont extradition to Spain

  • Kunduz (Afghanistan) (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 10:18

    UN probes reports of 'serious harm to civilians' in Afghan airstrike

  • Beijing (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 10:08

    N.Korea foreign minister visits Beijing to meet counterpart

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/03/2018 - 05:51

    Powerful 6.8 quake strikes Bolivia: USGS

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 22:22

    Netanyahu suspends deal for African migrants

  • New York (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 22:04

    US stocks end sharply lower on tech, trade worries; Nasdaq: -2.7%

  • New York (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 20:10

    US stock selloff deepens, Dow -3.0%; Nasdaq -3.4%

  • Berlin (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 19:15

    Four Russian envoys expelled from Germany back in Moscow: Russian embassy

  • Johannesburg (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 19:14

    Ramaphosa remembers Winnie Mandela as 'voice of defiance'

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 18:40

    US keen to work with Egypt's re-elected Sisi: official

  • Johannesburg (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 17:16

    Tutu says Winnie Mandela was 'a defining symbol' of anti-apartheid struggle

  • Johannesburg (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 16:19

    Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Mandela dies at 81

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 16:15

    Migrants in Israel to resettle in Canada, Germany, Italy: Netanyahu

  • Cairo (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 15:46

    Sisi wins Egypt election with 97 percent of valid votes: official

  • Kunduz (Afghanistan) (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 15:19

    Civilian casualties in Afghan airstrike on madrassa: witnesses

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 15:12

    Trump proposed White House summit last month to Putin: Kremlin

  • Baghdad (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 14:40

    Iraq condemns 6 Turkish women to death for IS membership: judiciary

  • Washington (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 14:28

    Trump, Japan's Abe to meet in US April on North Korea: White House

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 14:00

    Israel cancels controversial plan to deport African migrants

  • Aden (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 13:28

    Air raid kills 16 near Yemen port of Hodeida: security sources

  • Moscow (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 13:00

    Lavrov says spy poisoning could be 'in interests' of UK govt

  • Damascus (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 11:46

    Rebels begin evacuating from last opposition pocket of Syria's Ghouta: state media

  • Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 10:00

    18 killed in Boko Haram attack in Nigeria: emergency services

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 09:48

    Gaza toll rises to 17 after Palestinian dies of wounds: ministry

  • San José (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 04:27

    Ruling party candidate Carlos Alvarado elected Costa Rica's next president

  • Beijing (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 03:13

    China says space lab breaks up over South Pacific

  • Beijing (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 02:58

    China says space lab's re-entry imminent, off Sao Paulo

  • San José (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 02:09

    Polls close in polarizing Costa Rica presidential election

  • Tokyo (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 02:00

    Japan business confidence slips in March survey: BoJ

  • Beijing (AFP) - 04/02/2018 - 01:22

    China slaps retaliatory tariffs on 128 US imports

  • Guatemala City (AFP) - 04/01/2018 - 19:35

    Former Guatemala dictator Rios Montt, accused of genocide, has died: family

  • Madrid (AFP) - 04/01/2018 - 19:35

    Four migrants found dead off Spain, others missing: rescuers

  • Coatzacoalcos (Mexico) (AFP) - 04/01/2018 - 17:39

    Seven police killed in Mexico prison riot: officials

  • Seoul (AFP) - 04/01/2018 - 15:28

    N. Korean leader Kim attends S. Korean concert in Pyongyang: Yonhap

  • Ankara (AFP) - 04/01/2018 - 14:53

    Erdogan calls Netanyahu 'terrorist' over Gaza deaths

  • San José (AFP) - 04/01/2018 - 14:11

    Voting starts in divisive Costa Rica presidential election

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News

Hungarians vote in keenly-watched poll

AFP / FERENC ISZA Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party is set for an overwhelming victory with latest polls putting them 20 or more points clear of their nearest rivals

Orban has clashed with EU institutions over his moves to clamp down on civil society and his fiery anti-immigration rhetoric, but he has drawn plaudits from other nationalist politicians and those on the far-right who look to him as an inspiration.

Opinion polls have consistently put Orban and his right-wing Fidesz party 20 or more points clear of their nearest rivals, Jobbik, a far-right party that has been moving towards the centre, and the centre-left Socialists.

Hungarians began voting Sunday in an election that is being keenly observed across Europe, which will determine whether firebrand nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban will win an expected third consecutive term.

Orban himself voted early on Sunday morning with his wife at a school in the leafy Zugliget suburb of Budapest.

"This is a country which has always stepped up for itself, so we can trust in the people, I will accept their decision," he said.

Casting her vote at the same polling station, retired kindergarten worker Zsuzsanna Draxler said: "Of course I hope the Orban government will be able to continue its work".

But the first person to cast their vote at the station, who did not wish to be named, said only that he hoped for "something better" from the result.

Around 7.9 million Hungarians are eligible to vote and turnout figures will be closely watched for any clues of a possible upset.

A mainly first-past-the-post election system designed by Fidesz gives it an edge over a divided opposition but a high turnout and anti-Fidesz tactical voting could add an element of unpredictability.

Polling stations opened at 6:00 am local time (0400 GMT) and will stay open until 7:00 pm local time.

Preliminary results are expected one or two hours after polls close, with broader trends expected to become clear only slowly over the course of the evening.

Even if Fidesz does gain its expected parliamentary majority, analysts will be watching to see whether it falls short of the two-thirds "supermajority" that has enabled it to pass some of its most controversial bills.

- Lurid rhetoric -

These include some of the measures that have put Orban on a collision course with Brussels, such as eroding the independence of the media and the judiciary, as well as its crackdown on civil society groups, particularly those funded by Hungarian-born US billionaire George Soros.

AFP / Vincent LEFAI Key Hungarian data ahead of Sunday's general election

The government has been accused by critics of using anti-Semitic stereotypes in its relentless campaign against Soros, who is Jewish.

Orban accuses Soros and the organisations he funds of promoting mass Muslim and African immigration into Europe in order to undermine its Christian identity.

Orban's sometimes lurid rhetoric against immigrants resulted in February in a spat between the government and the UN's top human rights official, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, who accused Orban of xenophobia and racism.

Although Orban's actions, including refusing to participate in the EU's refugee resettlement scheme, have sometimes annoyed other European governments, Fidesz is afforded a measure of protection by virtue of its membership of the main centre-right EPP grouping in the European Parliament.

Senior EPP leaders have themselves courted controversy by wishing Orban luck ahead of the poll.

AFP / ATTILA KISBENEDEK People walk past campaign posters ahead of Sunday's poll where turnout will be a key factor, higher participation believed to be likely to benefit the opposition

On a visit to Budapest Friday, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of Poland's governing PiS party, also gave Orban his endorsement.

Poland's government has had its own run-ins with Brussels over its changes to the judicial system, and sees Hungary as an important ally within the EU.

A strong showing for Orban will be welcomed by admirers on the far-right in Europe, such as France's Marine Le Pen, and beyond.

Orban has also cultivated Russian President Vladimir Putin as an ally and has previously cited Russia as an example of the sort of "illiberal state" he hopes to anchor in Hungary.

- Corruption allegations -

Turnout will be a key factor in determining the result, with higher participation thought to benefit the opposition.

AFP / Jonathan STOREY Profile of poll favourite Viktor Orban, bidding for a third consecutive term as prime minister of Hungary

At a local mayoral by-election in February, Fidesz suffered a shock defeat after the opposition threw its weight behind a single candidate, prompting a surge in turnout.

Opposition parties have not coordinated this closely on a national level, but tactical voting could nevertheless represent a danger to Fidesz in 30-40 "swing seats".

The last few weeks of the campaign have been marked by allegations of money laundering and corruption levelled at Orban's inner circle, often published in media owned by oligarch Lajos Simicska, an erstwhile Orban ally who fell out with him after Fidesz's 2014 election victory.

Orban has avoided public debates with opponents or speaking to independent media, preferring instead to address supporters at carefully stage-managed events where he has hammered home his anti-immigration message.

The government also points to Hungary's solid economic growth, which has brought steadily rising wages, and says this would be at risk in the event of an opposition victory.

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