New law leaves small parties scrambling in Hungary

A new law ushered in by the Hungarian parliament this summer has created greater hurdles for smaller-sized parties in Hungary to get on the ballot for municipal elections which will be held on October 3.

The law requires that candidates hoping to appear on the ballot receive a larger number of nominations in a shorter amount time. Whereas candidates in previous elections needed to receive nominations from 0.5 percent of eligible voters to run for office, the law now requires them to receive 2 percent. The amount of time a candidate can collect nominations has slipped as well: from five weeks to 15 days.

Members of the ruling Fidesz party, which was elected to power in parliamentary elections this April with a two-thirds majority, voted in favor of the new measure.

Pictured is a volunteer collecting nominations for the Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party, an alternative political group which is promising voters free beer, no taxes and eternal life, among other things.

September 3 is the last day candidates can collect nominations.