Opposition right ahead in Hungary vote-exit poll

BUDAPEST, Apr 9 (Reuters) Hungary's conservative opposition Fidesz won most votes in the first round of general elections today, an exit poll showed.

The poll, carried out by the Tarki Institute at 24 out of 176 constituencies, showed the conservatives won 45 per cent of the vote followed by the ruling Socialists with 43 per cent.

The poll showed the Socialists' junior coalition partners, the liberal Free Democrats, passed the 5 per cent threshold needed to enter parliament, which analysts had said was key to the government standing any chance of remaining in power.

The second round of voting, due on April 23, is necessary under Hungary's complex election system if no candidate wins an outright majority in any of the 176 constituencies.

Reuters SRS DB2252