E Europe: Important parliamentary elections approach
Overview:
A number of important parliamentary elections are due to be held in Eastern Europe in the remainder of the year. First, Fidesz is widely expected to beat the Socialist Party in Hungary next month. Second, the CSSD leads the ODS in opinion polls in the Czech Republic ahead of the end-May elections due to be held there. Further out, parliamentary elections may well be held in Moldova in the summer if (as seems likely) a new president cannot be elected by parliament. Lastly, elections are due in Latvia in the autumn that may question the country’s commitment to its current IMF-backed economic program. In most cases, opposition parties will benefit not just from the unpopularity of incumbent administrations that have had to impose harsh austerity programs but the first signs of an economic upturn.