Orbán’s Fidesz support among Hungary’s general population has declined from 29 percent in early March to 25 percent, according to a poll by Zavecz Research cited by the 24.hu website. Meanwhile, among voters declaring an intention to take part in the upcoming elections, the party’s support base has shrunk from 45 percent to 35 percent over the same period.

The fall has occurred amidst political scandals and increasing opposition pressure. The Dziennik.pl website reported that after a quiet start to the year, the government’s popularity was hit by the president, Katalin Novák, pardoning someone convicted of covering up pedophilia, a scandal that ended with her being ousted from office. Since the affair broke in February, Fidesz has failed to rally its support, the HVG Hungarian economic weekly wrote.

The presidential scandal coincided with the entry into the opposition camp of Péter Magyar, whose harsh criticism of Orbán’s rule has seen his support base rise to 11 percent of the general public and 14 percent of those intending to vote. The small TISZA Magyar recently took over with a view to running in the EP elections and looks set to win as many as three of Hungary’s 21 seats.

Another opposition grouping, the Democratic Coalition (DK), headed by former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, remains Orbán’s main threat, however, with 13 percent general support and the backing of 22 percent of potential voters.

Elections to the EP will be held in Hungary on June 9, at the same time as a local government ballot.