Hungary's Orban plans to lead party into 2018 election
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on December 13 he was ready to lead his Fidesz party in 2018 national elections, aiming to become prime minister for a third consecutive term.
Orban, who swept to power in 2010 and was reelected in 2014, has seen his approval ratings boosted by his hardline anti-immigration policies, including the construction of a steel fence along Hungary's southern borders to keep out hundreds of thousands of migrants fleeing war and poverty.
He has put Hungary's economy back on a solid financial footing but his government has come under fire from the European Union and the United States for curbing media freedoms, its reforms of the court system, a centralization of power and a crackdown on civil society groups.
Upon being reelected party chairman on December 13, the 52-year-old father of five pledged to create new jobs, increase support for families and boost construction of new flats by slashing the value added tax on home construction to 5% from 27% in coming years.
He also said he planned to run for a third term in 2018.