The Change in the Relationships Between Electoral Support of Fidesz and Socio-economic Indicators Between 1998-2022

Abstract

The governing Fidesz party is undoubtedly the most successful political organisation in the modern political history of Hungary. Coming back into power in 2010, Fidesz has completed fundamental constitutional reform (including the voting system), and has gradually attracted a wider share of the Hungarian electorate. In this study, a wide range of social indicators were used for each election year between 1998 and 2022 to measure the relationships between party support and the possible social background of those who support the current regime. The main question was if the Fidesz electorate could be described by certain social indicators and if so, what was the dimension in that regard in the time period under investigation. Based on our quantitative analysis, the popularity of the party can be characterized by socio-economic indicators, though significant changes can be observed in this respect, since the party first won elections in 1998. This constant shift in the socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics of those right-wing voters is mainly in line with international trends, ones that have been described by a wide range of scholars with regard to western societies.