BUDAPEST (AFX) - Socialist Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany's leftist coalition was headed for reelection in the country's first parliamentary vote since joining the European Union, according to two exit poll projections after the first round voting on Sunday.
The polls, conducted by Tarki and Four Sense-Szazadveg, both gave the Socialists and their coalition partners, the liberal Free Democrats, a combined lead in the polls over the main conservative opposition Fidesz party.
Tarki said the Socialists won 43 pct of votes along with 6.0 pct for the Free Democrats, compared to 45 pct for Fidesz.
Szazadveg-Four Sense said the Socialists won 39.1 pct of votes with 6.4 pct for the Free Democrats, compared to 44.9 pct for Fidesz.
The potential coalition partner of Fidesz, the small conservative Hungarian Democratic Forum party, failed to win the five pct of the votes necessary to remain in parliament, according to the projections.
If the projections prove correct, it will be the first reelection since the country transited from communism to democracy in 1989.
The final outcome may only come after a second round run-off on April 23, but the Socialists would be strongly favoured if the Free Democrats enter parliament, isolating Fidesz in the 386-seat legislature. newsdesk@afxnews.com afp/hjp COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited