2016 Hungarian Grand Prix, Report
The rules, first introduced during the 2015 season, were intended to crack down on driver coaching—stating that a competitor must drive the car "alone and unaided"—but allowing teams the scope to alert drivers to the imminent failure of components. Under the revisions introduced for the Hungarian Grand Prix, a car must pit or be retired immediately if an issue arises that is deemed serious enough to warrant intervention from the team. The revised regulations were poorly received, with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel being particularly critical during interviews.


2016 Hungarian Grand Prix, Report
After introducing "baguette" kerbs at the Austrian Grand Prix as a means of policing track limits and prevent drivers from deliberately running wide to gain an advantage, the Hungarian Grand Prix saw the introduction of electronic monitoring at selected corners, with pressure-sensitive plates placed under kerbs to detect cars running wide, with the system tied to the car transponders to detect when a driver had run too wide.


2016 Hungarian Grand Prix, Report
Mixed conditions in the first qualifying session meant that a record eleven drivers failed to make the 107% time: Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo; Williams' Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas; Force India's Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Pérez; Renault's Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer; Manor's Pascal Wehrlein and Rio Haryanto; and Sauber's Marcus Ericsson. Due to the exceptional circumstances, all eleven were permitted to start the race, and the fastest five - Ricciardo, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Bottas, and Pérez - were allowed to proceed to Q2 as normal.


2016 Hungarian Grand Prix, Report
Lewis Hamilton took a comfortable win ahead of his teammate Rosberg, their only challenge came from Daniel Ricciardo who did threaten but ultimately faded away before finishing in 3rd place holding off a charge from Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel. Jenson Button was the only retirement from the race when he was instructed to stop after an oil leak in his McLaren in what he described as "A race from hell".


2016 Hungarian Swimming Championships
The 2016 Hungarian Athletics Championships were the 118th edition of the Hungarian Swimming Championships (Hungarian: CXVIII. Országos Bajnokság Széchy Tamás emlékére), which took place on 12–16 April 2016 at the Aqua Sportközpont in Győr.


2016 Hungarian Swimming Championships, Events
Similar to the program's format, swimming features a total of 42 events (20 each for men and women), including two 2 mixed events. The following events will be contested (all pool events are long course, and distances are in metres unless stated):


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum
A referendum related to the European Union's migrant relocation plans was held in Hungary on 2 October 2016. The referendum was initiated by the government, under the provision of article 8 of the new constitution of 2012. It was commonly referred to as the kvótanépszavazás or kvótareferendum ("quota referendum") in the Hungarian media.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum
While an overwhelming majority of voters rejected the EU's migrant quotas, voter turnout was below the 50% which would have been required for the result to be considered valid.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background
Hungary was one of the affected countries during the European migrant crisis. On 17 June 2015, Viktor Orbán's Fidesz government (it is his third) announced the construction of a 175-kilometre-long fence along its southern border with Serbia.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background
On 22 September 2015, the European Union's interior ministers meeting in the Justice and Home Affairs Council approved a plan to relocate 120,000 asylum seekers over two years from the frontline states Italy, Greece and Hungary to all other EU countries, while Hungary should have to accept 1,294 refugees from other member states. However Hungary voted against the relocation plan, as a result its 54,000 asylum seekers were not taken into consideration, that number relocated to Italy and Greece instead. Following the decision, Hungary and Slovakia took legal action over EU's mandatory migrant quotas at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background
On 24 February 2016, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that the Hungarian government would hold a referendum on whether to accept the European Union's proposed mandatory quotas for relocating migrants. He also said it is "no secret that the Hungarian government refuses migrant quotas" and will be campaigning for "no" votes. Orbán argued the quota system would "redraw Hungary's and Europe's ethnic, cultural and religious identity, which no EU organ has the right to do". On 5 May, after examining the legal challenges, the Supreme Court (Kúria) allowed the holding of the referendum.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background
The National Assembly officially approved the referendum initiated by the government on 10 May. The initiative was approved with 136 votes cast in favour by the pro-government Fidesz and KDNP lawmakers, as well as the opposition Jobbik MPs, while the majority of left-wing opposition boycotted the plenary session. On 21 June, the Constitutional Court rejected all four appeals against plans to hold the referendum. Finally, President János Áder set 2 October 2016 as the date for the referendum.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background, Reactions
Immediately following the announcement, opposition parties reacted in different ways. The Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) agreed that approval of the National Assembly was indispensable to the resettlement of migrants to Hungary, but also demanded referendums on the issues of Sunday shopping (the third Orbán Government banned shops from opening on Sundays from 15 March 2015) and the new land law. The Democratic Coalition (DK) argued that, beside the migrant quota system, the government should hold referendums on three additional topics (Sunday shopping, financing of health care and dissolution of the centralized education system), otherwise they would call for a boycott.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background, Reactions
Together announced a demonstration and called on the government not to "manipulate public opinion with liar, diversionary campaigns". Dialogue for Hungary (PM) called the government's referendum plan "legal nonsense" and a "desperate attempt to distract". The Hungarian Liberal Party (MLP) described the referendum as an "incorrect step" since, it argued, there is no such legal term as "mandatory resettlement" in the European Union. Politics Can Be Different (LMP) did not take a position on the issue, but also considered the announcement a distraction from "important questions, such as land robbery, or prohibited Sunday shopping". Jobbik welcomed the government's step in a statement.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background, Reactions
Speaking on behalf of the European Commission on 25 February, Natasha Bertaud said the executive body failed to understand "how it would fit into the decision-making process which was agreed to by all member states, including Hungary, under EU treaties". Later that day, Dimitris Avramopoulos, the EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship in the Juncker Commission, said the referendum "belongs to Hungary's internal affairs", but added "the isolated initiatives do not lead anywhere. At the moment, the unity of the [European] Union and human lives are at stake. [ ...]".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background, Reactions
The Dutch EU presidency responded, "Every country has the right to hold referendums". Pasi Rajala, an advisor to Finnish Finance Minister Alexander Stubb reacted sarcastically: "Should we have a referendum too? »Do you agree that Finland & others pay Hungary €22bn in structural funds & €3.45bn for rural development?«". Spanish Finance Minister Cristóbal Montoro said that the widespread use of referendums may lead to the "death" of the European Union.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background, Reactions
The following day, Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament described the Hungarian government's call to referendum as "an ideological decision" and "not warranted by a lack of resources or capacity" because Hungary had to accept only 1,294 asylum seekers according to the decision on relocations. In March 2016, Schulz called the referendum plan "absurd" and a "despicable idea".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background, Reactions
In May 2016, four NGOs (Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, Eötvös Károly Institute and Political Capital) argued that, based on the Constitution of Hungary, the referendum could not be held and that the Supreme Court adopted an unlawful decision in allowing it. Whereas, according to Article 8 (2): "National referendums may be held about any matter falling within the functions and powers of the National Assembly", Article 8 (3) states: "No national referendum may be held on [...] any obligation arising from international treaties".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background, Reactions
According to critics, the question as formulated is doubtful from a legal perspective in light of the primacy of EU law over national law. Under that doctrine, laid down by the European Court of Justice as early on as in the 1964 Costa v ENEL case, a validly adopted EU act pre-empts any conflicting act under national law from being applied. A national referendum (or law) therefore cannot override the decision of the EU Council of Ministers to relocate asylum seekers within the EU, critics argued.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background, Reactions
Several domestic and foreign political scientists and journalists argued that the Orbán government considered the referendum as the first step towards withdrawal from the European Union ("Huxit"). Reuters wrote in July 2016 that "Hungary's migrant referendum shows Europe's post-Brexit challenge". After ambiguous statements by government member János Lázár and spokesperson Zoltán Kovács, Democratic Coalition-member Csaba Molnár accused that the "Orbán Cabinet, through the referendum, will request authorization [from the people] to leave the European Union".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background, Reactions
In contrast, Index.hu argued that Lázár and Kovács's statements were [part] of a deliberate campaign strategy, since the government intended to mobilize the party voters by raising the stake of the quota referendum. Fidesz MEP András Gyürk denied the charges in his blog entry. He said "[...] By holding the referendum, Hungary wants to save the EU from going down a path that will further destabilize the EU and member state governments" and quoted Orbán, who had said earlier that "we believe in a strong European Union".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background, Reactions
In August 2016, the Brussels-based European edition of Politico described the event as "Viktor Orbán's Potemkin referendum". The journal argued "Hungary actually needs migrants, even if it doesn't want them", citing the private sector as suffering from skilled labor shortages. According to The Economist, the referendum would be a "challenge to the authority of Brussels and the leadership of Germany's Angela Merkel, who champions the relocation scheme".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Background, Reactions
Nick Thorpe, Budapest correspondent of BBC News explained the main purpose of the referendum is that Orbán "wants to play a bigger role on the European stage, as a «champion of the concerns of ordinary Europeans» against the actions of «an unelected, liberal elite», as interpreted by the premier himself. Thorpe argued there will be only "political" consequences of the referendum, with Visegrád Four, an alternative power block may arise on the basis of "Europe of Nations" concept against the mainstream federal vision represented primarily by France and Germany. In the case of an unsuccessful plebiscite, Orbán "will look weak, even foolish", he added. Gerald Knaus, chairman of the European Stability Initiative said Orbán, with the tool of referendum, sought to launch a "cultural counter-revolution" within EU which will lead to the "end of liberal Europe".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Referendum question
Akarja-e, hogy az Európai Unió az Országgyűlés hozzájárulása nélkül is előírhassa nem magyar állampolgárok Magyarországra történő kötelező betelepítését?


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Referendum question
Do you want to allow the European Union to mandate the resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens to Hungary without the approval of the National Assembly?


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Referendum question
A more literal translation into English, mirroring the Hungarian wording and inflections more closely:


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Referendum question
Do you want the European Union to be able to mandate the obligatory resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens into Hungary even without the approval of the National Assembly?


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Position of political parties
Bold: parties with parliamentary representation at the time of the referendum


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Yes
The Hungarian Liberal Party (MLP) was the only political party to openly campaign in favour of the compulsory quota system and asked its supporters to vote "yes" in the referendum. On 1 July 2016, party leader Gábor Fodor wrote an open letter to other opposition party leaders to convince them to support "yes" position in the referendum. He wrote, after the Brexit, "Europe lost the birthplace of the modern democracy and the primary representative of the Atlantic values". Orbán's referendum would be another disaster for the European Union, he added.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Yes
The MLP's foreign policy advisor István Szent-Iványi said in August 2016 that the support of "yes" votes "is the only way to stand up for European values, Hungary's belonging to Europe and European solidarity", criticizing the behaviour of other left-wing parties. He claimed the EU migrant quota system in fact is a "non-existent legal concept". He added the referendum has a "very bad political message" which deepens the cooperation between the European nations.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Yes
The Liberals took out a loan of HUF 12 million to place 150 billboards with political messages, such as "If You stay home, Orbán remains upon us. Vote Yes!" Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group (ALDE), who called the referendum question as "leading and manipulative", which undermines the common European solution, actively participated in the MLP's campaign. In a video message, he said the Hungarian people was forced to "choose between Hungary and Europe". He urged the voters to "say Yes to Europe, and say Yes to the European future of Hungary!" Former ALDE Party President Graham Watson also expressed his support to the Liberal Party's quota campaign.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Yes
Several journalists, bloggers and other opposition parties criticized the Liberal Party's campaign for "Yes" votes, because, as they argued, "participation legitimizes an illegitimate and unconstitutional referendum" and contributes to the threshold of validity. Fodor responded "Yes vote [...] would mean that Hungary is a constructive member of the European Union ready to share the burden of the refugee crisis facing Europe. Sitting at home [...] is simply cowardly".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Yes
Democratic Coalition chairman and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány said in an interview at ATV that Fidesz caucus leader Lajos Kósa promised budgetary support to those opposition parties (without the specifically mention of the Liberals) which will campaign for "Yes" votes. The Liberal Party refused these accusations in a press release in September 2016.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
According to a public interest disclosure by the prime minister's Cabinet Office in late September 2016, the Fidesz–KDNP government had spent at least HUF 11,3 billion (109; €34 million) on "information campaign" in relation to the subject of migration policy since December 2015. According to the liberal portal 444.hu, the government contracted with numerous advertising agencies which owned by Fidesz-backed entrepreneurs (for instance, Csaba Csetényi, István Garancsi and Andrew G. Vajna).


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
Within this amount, the government paid for commercials in the following financial breakdown: radio stations with national coverage (HUF 391,4 M), websites (HUF 524,7 M), newspapers (HUF 717,5 M), TV channels (HUF 2,2 B). In accordance with the press conference of Socialist politician Tamás Harangozó, who requested the disclosure of the data series, the amount covers only the period to the end of July 2016. Harangozó said the total amount could reach HUF 16–17 billion, including the referendum's administrative costs.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
The politician noted, comparing to the current cost, the Fidesz spent only HUF 2,8 billion for campaign during the 2014 parliamentary election. Fidesz-ally non-governmental organizations and trade unions, like Sándor Lezsák's National Forum, the National Alliance of Hungarian Farmers (Magosz), the Civil Unity Forum (CÖF), the Smallholders' Civic Association (KPE), the Batthyány Society of Professors (PBK), the Association of Christian Intellectuals (KÉSZ), the National Federation of Workers' Councils (MOSZ), the Hungarian Civil Cooperation Association (MPEE) and the Club of Young Families (Ficsak), also joined the campaign with own budget.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
During the campaign, public spaces and the media were inundated by large billboards with messages, such as "Did you know? More than 300 people were killed in terrorist attacks in Europe since the start of the migrant crisis", "Did you know? The Paris terrorist attacks were carried out by immigrants", "Did you know? 1,5 million illegal immigrants arrived to Europe in 2015", "Did you know? Brussels wants the forced resettling of a city's worth of illegal immigrants into Hungary", "Did you know? Almost one million immigrants want to come to Europe from Libya alone?" and "Did you know?


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
Since the start of the immigration crisis, sexual harassment of women has increased in Europe?". Several critics described these slogans as "xenophobic" and "racist". Emma Graham-Harrison, columnist of The Guardian wrote on 17 September 2016, the government campaign is characterized by "violent language" and "bitterly contested claims" (including about alleged "no-go zones" throughout Western Europe). Al Jazeera quoted a Hungarian Muslim woman, who said "I'm starting to feel that my own homeland is repudiating me". John Dalhuisen, director at Amnesty International (AI) told "Prime Minister Orbán has replaced the rule of law with the rule of fear".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
Government spokesman Zoltán Kovács denied these accusations and called the messages as manifestations of "common sense". He said "People all over the EU sense that something wrong is happening with migration. What is happening is out of control. We need to regain our ability to reinforce law and order at the borders of the European Union". Nevertheless, multiple surveys showed that xenophobia and distrust towards the asylum-seekers and refugees increased dramatically due to the government campaign methods.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
As Publicus Intézet pointed in September 2016, while two-thirds of respondents expressed their tolerance and pro-migrant support in the last year, now, only one-third of them. Sociologist Endre Sik, head of Tárki public opinion research institute said, in the summer of 2016, "racism and xenophobia in Hungary has reached its peak since 1990", after when "all refugees left [Hungary] in January", he added. A late September survey by Závecz Research also showed that 70 percent of the respondents thought that "influx of refugees increases the risk of terrorism". According to the survey, 80 percent of the Hungarian population were completely or moderately rejecteing against refugees or immigrants.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
Beside huge billboards, the government's most important campaign method was organization of public forums in the last two weeks to mobilize rural voters, attended by government ministers, state secretaries, members of parliament, pro-government journalists (Zsolt Bayer) and security experts (notably György Nógrádi and Georg Spöttle). These forums became infamous for hard-toned speeches and anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim statements. One of the most stormy events was held in Jászberény on 13 September, where László Kövér, the Speaker of the National Assembly said about migration crisis that "this is a war in which weapons are not used".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
As Kövér warned, historical examples also prove that migrants are tools to deprive the enemy [Hungarians] of their identity prior to enslaving them. He also said Muslims are "impossible to integrate" and cited the example of German football player Mesut Özil, who is not used to sing the Deutschlandlied before matches, according to the politician. Later the German Football Association rejected Kövér's claims. Member of Parliament János Pócs recalled that unidentified Muslim migrants harassed his daughter via Facebook.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
The mayor of Jászberény, Tamás Szabó told to the town's Romani citizens that if Jászberény is forced to settle immigrants, "this will lead to the reduction of social aid to Hungarian citizens", which means if migrants coming to Hungary, it means less aid for the local Romani people. Szabó alsó remembered that the former Socialist mayor of the town had submitted a document to the representative body which proposed accepting migrants to treat the demographic crisis in Jászberény. Szabó and Pócs considered it as a proof that the left-wing parties supported immigration.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
In Tápiógyörgye, security policy expert Georg Spöttle said "financial resources of the country should not be given to the migrants, those who do not respect the law, wade across borders, and yet nothing good for them, those, who only demand". The two Fidesz-member deputy mayors of Csepel warned the community that if the Hungarian government will lose the fight against the EU, residents of the 1,475 municipal apartments will be evicted from their home to make way for migrants.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
On the proposal of the government, approximately 2,000 out of 3,200 local authorities adopted resolutions against migrant resettlement quotas until the end of September 2016. In several places, local Fidesz politicians warned their communities (for instance, Gödöllő and Tapolca) that where there are no a clear stand against the "forced resettlement quota", there will be a greater chance to settle migrants, if the government "lose the battle against Brussels", they underlined.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
During a public forum, government member János Lázár argued "in that places, where the overwhelming majority of the population adopted an obstructive attitude against quotas in the referendum, migrants can not be settled because the government wants to avoid a confrontation. However, where the voters testify their disinterest, there's probably also disinterested to them that migrants will arrive there or not". Many considered these remarks as part of the Fidesz's "political blackmail" and "threat". Lázár refused this interpretation.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán previously claimed that EU leaders has made a secret deal with Hungarian towns governed by left-wing politicians (such as Szeged, Zugló, Ajka and Salgótarján) to accept migrants bypassing the national government. He cited EP President Martin Schulz's earlier words in an interview that "even in Hungary there are places where migrants are not sent back", and explicitly named Szeged, where "all refugees could safely go there".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
Socialist politician László Botka, the mayor of Szeged criticized Orbán and said "the insanity within Fidesz rose to a new level, because they are serious about that a simple mayor can agree on resettlement of migrants with the President of the European Parliament. It is so surreal that there are no longer words against it". Tamás Wittinghoff, the mayor of Budaörs claimed local governments were "under direct pressure to adopt anti-quota resolutions". He also hinted the "uncooperative" authorities must expect much less budgetary support from the government. Imre Attila Nagy, the mayor of Győrújfalu urged local residents to vote "No", because, as he reasoned, their "[...] tenders for infrastructure investments will become subjects to preferential treatment by the government, if the [...] local turnout at the referendum exceeds the county and national average [...]".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
In the last days of the campaign, Viktor Orbán gave numerous interviews to pro-government media to convince people of the importance of voting. On 22 September, he said to Origo.hu that "if the referendum will be valid and conclusive, its consequences are of a different nature, compared to a more stunted one [referendum]". He added "the forced quota is the case of all of the 3,200 local governments" and also called 2 October as "3,200 local referendums at the same time". He was certain that the referendum will "determine the fate of future generations".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
He also said "I love this country, and I do not want to see anyone change it under orders from outside". In response to the opposition's position of boycott, he told this is "an issue which far outstrips party loyalty. [ ...] This is the second time, when the Hungarian left has been unable to rise above self-interest – as because I think that the earlier referendum on dual citizenship was also an issue of national interest". Orbán was interviewed by M1 national channel on 27 September too.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
He said "We do not allow them [EU institutions] to take away from us the right of exclusive control over the question of who we want to live with here in Hungary and who we don't want to live with". He added, "I love my homeland and I want it to remain just the way it is [...]". He also stated the proper way of assistance to refugees is "to take aid to where they live, instead of allowing the problems into Europe".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
On 29 September, Orbán already told to Katolikus Rádió that "the participation in the referendum has no political significance". The Prime Minister said this after releases of unfavorable data about the expected voter turnout, which result only will show "Hungarians indeed form a community, or just randomly live together", he added. He also said that the "compulsory quota system was accepted via the scam of four member states – Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania [countries which voted against the relocation plan on 22 September 2015]".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
During an interview in TV2 on 30 September, he said "migration is an issue, where if we make a mistake, we will not be able to correct it anymore". Orbán published a lengthy essay to Magyar Idők on 1 October. He wrote "We, Hungarians find ourselves in the mainstream once every thirty years", referring to the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, the removal of Hungary's border fence with Austria in 1989 and the current migration crisis. He wrote "Hungary is the only EU Member State, where the people are asked on the subject of immigration". He quoted a Hungarian proverb: "a good intention is few, need more: intellect". He added "Simple mathematical operations must be performed in order to realize that they [migrants] will win this silent battle – if we do nothing".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
The radical nationalist Jobbik welcomed Orbán's step to hold a referendum related to the EU's migrant resettlement plans, but also accused the government of double talk. Four days before the announcement of a referendum, party spokesperson Dániel Z. Kárpát said Viktor Orbán, along with the other heads of governments, signed that final document which concluded the European Council Summit of 18–19 February 2016. According to Kárpát, the document, beside the EU–Great Britain deal, also contained the EU compulsory resettlement quota and accused Orbán with "betrayal". Government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács said the "opposition misinterprets the final document". Albeit the Jobbik agreed with the intention of referendum, the party initiated a constitutional amendment on the subject. The Jobbik already argued in favour a possible quota referendum in October 2015, which then still rejected by Fidesz caucus leader Kósa.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
After President Áder announced the referendum date on 5 July 2016, Jobbik spokesman Ádám Mirkóczki stated the party opposes the quota system, similarly to "every meaningless dictate from Brussels". But the party maintains its position, he added, that a constitutional amendment would be a "much faster and free solution", while a referendum with invalid outcome would cause serious damage to Hungarian interest enforcement. In August, party leader Gábor Vona encouraged to vote "No", arguing "in this similar national matters, everyone should have to transcend the party political interests".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
However, he noted, an invalid referendum would be a "weapon in the hands of Brussels" against the Hungarian government's position. Vona said "Eastern Europe still has a choice to decide, whether it wants that multiculturalism which requires from the majority to give up its European identity [...]" In September 2016, Vona called the referendum as an "irresponsible decision" in his parliamentary speech. He said: "Fidesz has no interest in solving the migration crisis but such political gamble may pose significant risks". He stated if the referendum will prove to be invalid, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán "must resign" as "take personal responsibility with the initiative".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
In addition to the government parties and Jobbik, other extra-parliamentary parties also rejected the European Union migrant quota system. Gyula Thürmer, long-time leader of the Hungarian Workers' Party (MMP, a party of communist ideology) emphasized his party "say no to the EU's aggression". He said the EU leaders actively participated in that Middle East foreign policy, which led to the current migrant crisis.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
The Independent Smallholders, Agrarian Workers and Civic Party (FKgP) argued "threat is not a party political issue" and everyone have to say "No" to the quotas, even though the Fidesz will use the eventual success to its own benefit. They also quoted 17th-century poet Miklós Zrínyi's famous motto: "Do not hurt the Hungarians!" The Hungarian Justice and Life Party (MIÉP) reminded the public that they were the only parliamentary party which had opposed referendum on joining the EU in 2003. The MIÉP criticized the Two-tailed Dog Party's counter-campaign and also tried to mock its satirical slogans.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
All of the major churches have not issued an official resolution on the subject of the quota referendum, nevertheless numerous prelates and clerics delivered their opinions individually.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
As Heti Válasz wrote, Metropolitan Péter Fülöp Kocsis, head of the Hungarian Greek Catholic Church openly said that he will vote "No", as well as István Bogárdi Szabó, the Clerical President of the Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary, Sándor Németh, the senior pastor of the Faith Church, Imre Kozma, the president of the Hungarian Charity Service of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Slomó Köves, Executive Rabbi of the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation and Sándor Szenczy, the president of the Hungarian Baptist Aid.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
Gyula Márfi, Archbishop of Veszprém, Béla Balás, Bishop of Kaposvár and Miklós Beer, Bishop of Vác also opposed the quota system, as well as the well-known Franciscan friar Csaba Böjte. According to the Heti Válasz's list, only Rabbi Zoltán Radnóti, the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities (Mazsihisz) said he will boycott the referendum. Archabbot Asztrik Várszegi called the government's campaign as "violent" and "propagandistic", and, as he put it, this type of communication "blocks the thinking".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
This was the first referendum since 1989, when the suffrage extended to Hungarian citizens who do not have a permanent residence in Hungary (see Hungarian diaspora). As a result, several ethnic Hungarian parties and organizations involved in the campaign. The Autonomy Council in the Carpathian Basin (KMAT), led by László Tőkés, urged people to participate in the referendum and vote "No".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, No
The alliance adopted a joint statement, signed by the Hungarian National Council of Transylvania (EMNT), the Szekler National Council (SZNT), the Hungarian People's Party of Transylvania (EMNP), the Hungarian Civic Party (MPP), The Party of the Hungarian Community (MKP), the Hungarian Democratic Party of Vojvodina, the Hungarian Democratic Community of Vojvodina, the Democratic Union of Hungarians of Croatia (HMDK), the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (VMSZ), the Hungarian National Self-Governing Community of Pomurje (MMÖNK), the Hungarian Cultural Federation of Transcarpathia (KMKSZ), and others. István Pásztor, the president of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians emphasized "there is no contradiction" between the VMSZ's campaign in Hungary and the position of the Serbian government. He said "The Vojvodina Hungarians are part of the nation, and the quota referendum is a national issue".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
Since March 2015, the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) tried to initiate a referendum against that new regulations, which banned shops from opening on Sundays. However the intention of the party was prevented on several occasions, sometimes under scandalous circumstances. Thus the government's initiative on quota referendum was considered as a distraction from these legal abuses by the MSZP. In July, deputy chairman Zoltán Gőgös suggested on the quota referendum that "everybody should stay at home to stay in Europe". He added, the "people have to show to Orbán that they choose the European community instead of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
During these early months, the MSZP concentrated on its own referendum plan related to the land law adopted by the Fidesz government in 2013. However the party was unable to collect the required amount of 200,000 signatures. Albeit MSZP decided to stay away from the quota referendum, the party still avoided the use of the word "boycott" to distinguish itself from the Democratic Coalition (DK).


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
The Socialist Party was not able to convey a unified political message and position to its supporters. Former party leader László Kovács urged to vote invalidly to "vote yes for our country remain a member of the European Union". The Szombathely branch of the party also argued for invalid vote. Eszter Móricz, a local representative of the party in the 15th district of Budapest declared "as a private individual" that she will vote "No" as a "devout Christian woman".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
She added that situation should be avoided, when a woman will be forced to fear from the enforcement of Sharia in Hungary. After that statement, her party membership was suspended by the MSZP's ethics committee several days later. In response, Móricz announced that she will not participate in the referendum. On 31 August 2016, the new party chairman Gyula Molnár said "MSZP is ready to support the government in the fight against compulsory resettlement quota if the European Union is indeed planning to take such steps". However, as noted, he considered the referendum without legal consequences.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
His words caused a great uproar among the opposition community. Later that day, Molnár corrected and refined his assertion, and emphasized the "senseless nature" of the referendum. In addition, the Socialist Party campaigned for boycott with the word "Yes" in a poster. Several critics said the Socialist Party became a satellite organization to the Fidesz (or at least "His Majesty's loyal opposition") to increase the uncertainty among the opposition voters. An Index.hu analysis noted the MSZP has run into difficulty because the majority of its voters positioned themselves against the EU's immigration policy and the quota system. Further increasing the communication confusion, Somogy County branch leader Gábor Harangozó accused the government to intends to settle migrants to municipal accommodations throughout the country.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
The Democratic Coalition (DK) stated immediately after Orbán's announcement that the party will boycott the referendum. According to Népszabadság,  party leaders Gyula Molnár (MSZP) and Ferenc Gyurcsány (DK) agreed that both parties will use the same slogan: "Stay at home, Stay in Europe!". However Socialist spokesperson István Nyakó nuanced the journal's information: "There is agreement [in this issue], but there is no co-operation". Gyurcsány argued in September 2016, that the government considers the referendum as an "early parliamentary election".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
He added, "there is no governance for years" and the cabinet intends to hide the existing economic difficulties under the migrant issue and the quota referendum campaign. According to Gyurcsány, the Fidesz leads Hungary to a "historic blind alley". On 16 September, Gyurcsány claimed the Fidesz government will initiate an early parliamentary election, if the quota referendum will be valid. He said Orbán "builds a new political community through fear and hate campaign [...]". Few days later, Gyurcsány told that he received this information from the inner circle of Prime Minister Orbán. During an interview, Orbán refused Gyurcsány's allegations.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
The Prime Minister said "early parliamentary election is often a sneaking matter". The Democratic Coalition published its own campaign song in September 2016, the chorus was "Do not say no, do not say yes, the answer does not mean anything, if the question is liar". One day before the September 2016 Budapest explosion, board member György Kakuk called on the government not to perform any simulated bomb attack in order to increasing willingness to vote. He compared the government's "hate campaign" to pre-1945 era.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
The party held a peaceful demonstration in front of the Hungarian Parliament Building on 1 October, when thousands of DK sympathizers joined their hands to form a human chain around the building. Gyurcsány said during the event that the government is trying to "steal the greater part of the honesty of Hungary, however the democratic opposition will be able to prevent that". Far-right elements sought to prevent the demonstration, but they failed, when DK supporters sang Himnusz.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
Two other minor left-wing parliamentary parties, the Together (Együtt) and the Dialogue for Hungary (PM), and a liberal conservative extra-parliamentary force, the Modern Hungary Movement (MoMa) announced to campaign jointly and urged their voters to stay away from the referendum. On 1 September, the party leaders presented their joint poster which showed a couple sitting on sofa who giving the finger to the government's campaign message on TV. "For a stupid question, this is the answer!" and "Who stay at home, votes for Europe" slogans were appeared in that poster.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
MoMa president Lajos Bokros told "there is no right answer to a nefarious question". Együtt leader Viktor Szigetvári said "we are disgusted from what Viktor Orbán is doing with this country". According to Dialogue for Hungary co-chair Gergely Karácsony, "this referendum is one of the biggest political swindles in recent decades". He added, the government, beside their money, is trying to steal people's "soul" and "benevolence" too. Formerly the Together said "Orbán's populist politics is resulting a sliding and unthrifty Hungary". According to the party, the only alternative are the "peace and European cooperation".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
The PM considered the referendum as a "gigantic scam" which serves only the communication and policy goals of Fidesz. The party added "if Hungary accepts EU aids and sums, must be involved too in the solution of common problems". The PM intended to organize a protest to the day of the referendum, but after a legal complaint by Fidesz MP Gergely Gulyás, the National Election Committee (NVB) found it unlawful, as according to the election law, a rally cannot hold on the day of the referendum.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Boycott
As a result, the party, alongside MSZP, which also canceled its planned rally named "Free Europe Day" after the decision, protested in front of the NVI headquarters because of its presumptive pro-government political decisions. Co -leader Karácsony noted how ironic that International Day of Non-Violence and Gandhi Jayanti are observed on October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. After that Gergely Karácsony and MSZP chairman Gyula Molnár covered the sign of the National Election Office with a "Fidesz Election Office" door plate. During a MoMa protest on 25 September, a young speaker said "The House Speaker [László Kövér] and Zsolt Bayer [a Fidesz-ally journalist, he is known for harsh tone articles] are the threat to our culture, and not the Islam".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Invalid
The Hungarian Two-tailed Dog Party (MKKP) closely involved in the quota referendum campaign, mocking the government's anti-immigrant messages and phrases. The party spent €100,000 (the most of all the opposition parties) of voluntary donation from 4,000 people for their posters with satirical slogans, such as "Did you know there's a war in Syria? ", "Did you know one million Hungarians want to emigrate to Europe? ", "Did you know? The perpetrators in most corruption cases are politicians", "Did you know? A tree may fall on your head? ", "Did you know?


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Invalid
The average Hungarian is more likely to see a UFO than a refugee in his lifetime" and "Did you know? During the Olympics, the biggest danger to Hungarian participants came from foreign competitors". Party leader Gergely Kovács told BBC News that "[...] What we can do is appeal to the millions in Hungary who are upset by the government campaign. We want them to know they are not alone". Thus the party asked the people to vote invalidly.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Invalid
Kovács also gave an interview earlier to The Budapest Times on 17 September 2016, after the party launched its counter-campaign. He said Orbán created a "phenomenon" from a real European problem, and the government "is trying to pose every migrant as a potential terrorist". He mentioned that according to the European Union quota system, Hungary should settle only 1,294 asylum seekers, and he thinks that "there must be at least so much humanity in a country that this is not a question at all".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Invalid
Kovács told to The Guardian that the Fidesz politicians "want people to talk about the nonexistent migrants" instead of corruption scandals and the catastrophic situation in the health sector. "I've never seen so much hate in this country before", he added. Responding to the party's sarcastic and ironic statements, the MKKP also used the "Stupid Answer to a Stupid Question! Vote invalidly!" slogan in its billboards. The party also developed a mobile application, through which every voters could express their opinion and may indicated to have voted invalidly on the day of the referendum.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Invalid
During the campaign, several MKKP posters were vandalized and ripped. According to rumors and unconfirmed reports, some Fidesz-led local governments in Budapest (for instance Terézváros and Újbuda) and elsewhere, sent public workers to hide and rip off the Two-tailed Party posters. The affected authorities did not respond the assumptions. After this experiment, the MKKP restarted its voluntary donation campaign to purchase of new posters. The National Election Committee (NVB) considered a vandalism of MKKP posters in Szombathely as a violation of the election law, but declared the person of perpetrators as unidentifiable. On 22 September, an underage activist of the MKKP was attacked and hit by a taxi driver in Szentendre, when the boy warned him that the impairment of posters is illegal during campaign period.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Invalid
Beside the Two-tailed Dog Party, the NGOs Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ) and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee also urged to vote invalidly. According to the TASZ, the government is "abusing" the institution of referendum, and its campaign is "fundamentally incompatible with a human rights approach". The Hungarian Helsinki Committee noted in favour of invalid vote that "the difference is in the message. The act of boycott is only the passive rejection of the forced referendum", while invalid vote is more efficient and can not be misinterpreted.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Invalid
In a declaration issued on 14 September, 22 NGOs, including TASZ, the Helsinki Committee, the Eötvös Károly Institute, the Methodist Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship, the Migration Aid and the Belletrist Association jointly announced to support invalid vote, referring the government campaign as "senseless" and "inhuman". István László Mészáros, a former SZDSZ MP announced to quit the Helsinki Committee, because the NGO "entered into party politics" and "as an organization, which once dedicated to the values of democracy and the rights of citizens [...] is campaigning against a referendum, one of the most important institutions of democracy".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Invalid
The Helsinki Committee responded that "the government makes a mockery of the institution of referendum [...] and it serves only a political campaign based on xenophobia". The organization held a 'Refugees Welcome' rally with the slogan "See the Human!" on 30 September, also attended by e.g. directors Béla Tarr and Róbert Alföldi, actor András Bálint and poet Virág Erdős. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee argued "[...] majority of these people [refugees] are children! Europe, including Hungary, means the only chance and hope for them".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Neutral
The Politics Can Be Different (LMP) went through a change in leadership in the summer of 2016, after co-president András Schiffer announced his retirement from politics on 31 May. The party decided not to participate in the campaign and did not deliver its position on the issue. Co -president Bernadett Szél clarified the opinion of the party at the Bálványos Free Summer University in July in Băile Tușnad, Romania.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Campaign methods, Neutral
She participated in a debate with Fidesz caucus leader Lajos Kósa, where she said "the issue of migration was always a national competence", and claimed the referendum initiative is a "trickery to exercise of power". She added the LMP will argue in favour of neither of the options. Formerly some intellectuals, including Gáspár Miklós Tamás, criticized her participation in the Fidesz-backed free university and false reports accused that Szél urged the party supporters to vote "No" during the event. Nevertheless, both co-leaders of the party (Szél and the newly elected Ákos Hadházy) decided to boycott the referendum. Szél later said that the government used the quota referendum to divert attention from the much lower wages in Hungary than the European Union average.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Delegates to election committees
A total of 10,331 polling stations were established nationwide for the quota referendum. According to the election system, every parties with parliamentary group (therefore Fidesz, MSZP, Jobbik, KDNP and LMP) were allowed to register and send a maximum of two delegates to each committee until the deadline of 22 September 2016. The number of delegates were shared in the following way:


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Delegates to election committees
According to these figures, opposition parties (MSZP, Jobbik and LMP) have sent delegates to less than 40 percent of the 10,331 polling stations. As an Index.hu analysis noted, the passivity of Jobbik and LMP in this respect is understandable: the previous one is campaigning for "no" votes, in line with the Fidesz–KDNP government, while the latter party remained disinterested (neutral) and boycotted the whole procedure. By comparison, as article author Szabolcs Dull noted, the low number of the MSZP observers raises many questions.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Delegates to election committees
The number of delegates by counties showed that the left-wing opposition party appointed zero delegates in Győr-Moson-Sopron County (450 polling committees), but the MSZP remained passive in several other counties too. Previously, the Socialist Party warned of probable "fraud" and "lawlessness" among the election committees, and agreed with four other parties (DK, Együtt, PM and MoMa, none of them have parliamentary caucus) to send observers jointly under MSZP banner. According to unconfirmed reports, voluntary application of DK activists as delegates were refused by local MSZP officials in some counties, because they did not want to bother with administrative obligations during the registration procedure.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, Delegates to election committees
Political Capital analyst Róbert László opined that current situation "significantly increases the risk of fraud". He added, the low number of left-wing opposition delegates indicates "more to the current condition of these parties than do the research polls showing their popularity". In contrast, Szabolcs Dull argued that there is not really a significant possibility of manipulation regarding the local election turnout, as voters could check their signature in the committees' report for 90 days after the election.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, The issue of a possible debate
On 23 September 2016, Jobbik leader Gábor Vona challenged Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Socialist chairman Gyula Molnár to a public debate. He justified the move that "party leaders usually confront their point of view before such a significant event in civilized countries". He reminded the public that Orbán did not attend a public political debate since the 2006 parliamentary election, where he was defeated by incumbent premier Gyurcsány according to the majority opinion. Orbán rejected the possibility of a wide-ranging debate again.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Campaign, The issue of a possible debate
His press agent, Bertalan Havasi said Orbán "continues to consider the referendum as a national issue, which transcends party interests". Gyula Molnár, however, said he is ready to take part in the public debate, suggesting other issues beside the quota referendum. Eventually, due to the refusal and absence of the Prime Minister, there has been no debate, similarly to the last two parliamentary elections.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Results
1 Excluding invalid votes: 41.32%, which determined the validity of the referendum


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Government
Even after publication of exit polls at 7pm, Fidesz MP Gergely Gulyás evaluated the migrant quota as "an overwhelming victory", regardless of the low turnout. He said "we consider the decision of the voters as compulsory on our part" and called the even then very likely legally invalid referendum as "valid in political terms". He emphasized more people voted against the quota system than in favour of the joining the European Union in the 2003 referendum.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Government
Deputy Prime Minister and KDNP leader Zsolt Semjén also said the government received mandate from the voters to "defend the country against the compulsory quota". He added "on Christian and humanitarian grounds, there will be caritas towards the migrants and self-defense towards the migratory phenomenon at the same time". He pointed out migrants are also "victims", but their problem should be resolved at the source, and not in Europe.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Government
In his evening speech at Bálna Centre, Viktor Orbán declared the government's victory despite the low turnout which rendered the referendum invalid. He emphasized Hungary became the first and only EU member state which "managed to hold a referendum on the migrant issue, which determines the future of our children and grandchildren". As he argued, "92% of those who voted in a referendum [...] said, they do not agree with Brussels' intention [on migration quotas]".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Government
He said the referendum result will be a "strong enough weapon at Brussels", and urged EU policymakers to take note the result and the "Hungarians' will". "Brussels or Budapest, this was the question, and we decided that only Budapest enjoys the right of decision", he added. Orbán also announced, in accordance with the "politically valid" term, that the government will initiate the seventh amendment of the fundamental law of Hungary as the "appropriate, honest and necessary step is to give legal weight to the will of the Hungarians".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Government
In his short speech, Orbán did not mention the invalid outcome of the referendum, and the organizers did not allow for the domestic and foreign press to ask questions of the Prime Minister. In the following days, pro-government media (for instance, M1 state television, Magyar Idők, Magyar Hírlap, Origo.hu, 888.hu or Riposzt) avoided the "invalid" phrase too and did not refer the relatively low turnout, and instead, they highlighted the fact that 98% of participants voted against the admission of refugees to Hungary.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Government
Csaba Dömötör, the Deputy Minister of the prime minister's Cabinet Office, gave an interview to Origo.hu on the eve of referendum, where he said "if 3 million votes were enough to join the European Union [in the 2003 referendum], now, roughly 3 million votes should be enough to say No to the enforced settlement system". During the referendum, majority of the Hungarians expressed support for the government policy on the migration issue, he added.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Opposition
Jobbik issued a statement immediately after the end of the voting procedure. Party spokesperson Mirkóczki said Orbán "irresponsibly brought the country into a gamble and [...] he failed." He also called the Fidesz's campaign as "arrogant, insolent and sometimes extortionist." Party leader Gábor Vona said Orbán "revived the quota system" with the invalid referendum and the Prime Minister "scored an own goal." He argued EU leaders will only consider the invalid nature of the referendum, ignoring the overwhelming superiority of "No" votes.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Opposition
On 3 October, Vona told Orbán in the parliamentary plenary session that the government had weakened Hungary's positions in Brussels on the issue of quota system with the failed referendum. According to him, Orbán used this undoubtedly national vital question for his own domestic political and party communication purposes, while the Jobbik formerly had proposed a constitutional amendment without political risks. He said his party "always rejected the quota system, that's why I am angry with you [Orbán] and that's why I demand your resignation". He argued Orbán need to step down, as David Cameron did it following the Brexit referendum, "as is the norm in European politics".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Opposition
Hungarian Socialist Party leader Gyula Molnár stated the invalid referendum has become in fact a "very expensive opinion poll" and added, "things will return to normal" on 3 October after a "shameful, deceitful and unlawful hate campaign". He said the invalid outcome of the referendum proved that "it is possible to defeat the Fidesz government and Viktor Orbán at the ballot box." As a result, he suggested a cooperation of "democratic opposition" parties to nominate single joint candidate in each constituency for the next parliamentary election in order to a unified action against Fidesz.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Opposition
"We will build a coalition from the majority of Hungarians who are losers of society due to this government's activity", he added. In response to Orbán's announcement, he said that any government step to amend the constitution  based on an invalid referendum would be "unconstitutional". Molnár also announced the MSZP would initiate setting up a parliamentary ad hoc committee to investigate government spending public funds on the referendum.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Opposition
Democratic Coalition chairman and former prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsány told "We won. Not a little, but a lot", ironically evoking his infamous Őszöd speech from May 2006. "The left has waited for a real victory for the past ten years [since the 2006 national election], and today this has finally happened", and called Orbán to resign as "all prime ministers would do this in any normal and democratic country" after a such "obvious defeat".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Opposition
Similarly Molnár, Gyurcsány also looked ahead to the 2018 parliamentary election, when he said "constructive and responsible talks about election cooperation" among the so-called democratic opposition parties must be begun immediately. On that evening in a Heti Világgazdaság quick interview, Gyurcsány said every left-wing party must unite into a single big tent opposition party to jointly overcome the "Orbán regime".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Opposition
Politics Can Be Different co-chair Bernadett Szél assessed the results as "weakening the government's position abroad". She said Orbán tried to "provoke" instead of proposals for solutions, but set up a "trap for himself." Co-chair Ákos Hadházy called the referendum as "destructive", because it "whipped up panic-like fear" among the citizens, while distracting from the "collapsing health care" and the "looting of EU funds at state level". He also said Orbán "isolated himself internationally with his populist campaign of provocation".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Opposition
Leaders of the Together, Dialogue for Hungary and Modern Hungary Movement called their boycott campaign as "successful". Together party president Viktor Szigetvári referred to the quota referendum as "the most expensive and liar propaganda campaign" since the transformation into democracy in 1989. He also warned the government's methods, forecasting the possible abuses by the Fidesz during the 2018 national election. Szigetvári criticized the Liberals' campaign for "Yes" votes, who "are working from Orbán's playbook", according to him. MoMa leader Lajos Bokros claimed the boycott successfully "defended the country's honor and its international prestige".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Opposition
He said the referendum's only aim was "to incite hatred and divide the nation". Dialogue for Hungary spokesperson Bence Tordai claimed the "sensible and well intentioned majority of the Hungarian society had won the referendum". [ ...] Afterall the Dialogue wants to focus on a post-Orbán Hungary", he added, and called the other left-wing parties to hold a pre-selection process in the next year to choose the most suitable joint opposition candidates in each constituency.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Opposition
Gábor Fodor, party president of the Hungarian Liberal Party told in the party's press conference, "Hungary is the only loser in this day", and said the "government-raised xenophobia will not disappear any time soon and without a trace". He also considered Orbán "wanted to become the undisputable leader of the Euroskeptical and populist camp within the European Union, [...] but now received a huge slap in his face".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, Domestic, Opposition
6 percent of the votes (11 percent in Budapest) were invalid, by far the largest number in the election history of Hungary. According to most analysts, it clearly showed the Two-tailed Dog Party's efficient and effective campaign. Thanks to the invalid result of the referendum, "we did not become such a lame country, as the government wants", MKKP leader Gergely Kovács said. He later told Népszabadság, his party decided to stand for the 2018 parliamentary election. He also insisted the Two-tailed Dog Party does not consider itself as a joke party, because it calls attention to serious issues in a "light-hearted form and with funny arguments."


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, International
Luxembourgish Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, who called for Hungary to be expelled from the European Union a month earlier, told after the publication of the preliminary result that "the Hungarians proved to be more Europeans than their government." He added "this is a bad day for Orbán, but a good day for Hungary and the European Union". He considered the invalid result as the consequence of the majority people's passive resistance. Margaritis Schinas, the Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission said "if the referendum would have been legally valid, we would have acknowledge the result.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, International
Now, the referendum proved to be invalid, we reacted by acknowledging it too." He also stressed the commission respects the democratic will of the Hungarian people, including those who stayed away from the referendum.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, International
On 7 October, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told a conference in Paris that a mandatory collective decision has been accepted on the subject of quota system, and argued "If every time a member state doesn't agree with a decision, it organises a referendum to say the opposite of what the rule of law has said… we won't be able to manage and to govern the European Union".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, International
Martin Schulz, the president of the European Parliament criticized the Hungarian government's communication, which "is trying to portray [...] the invalid result as an endorsement of [Hungary's] refusal to participate in a burden-sharing scheme [the quota system]" adopted by the European Council. Schulz expressed Orbán "failed in its attempt to use opposition to the European Union for domestic political purposes" and hailed the majority Hungarian people to stay away from polling stations. "We are grateful for this", he added. Schulz also urged the Hungarian cabinet to take a constructive line in solving the problem together with the EU member states. Guy Verhofstadt said "Hungarians showed that they will not follow Orbán's populist, xenophobic and racist politics. [ ...] To solve the problem, fear and hate cannot be a solution, but a joint European cooperation".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, International
Michael Roth, the German Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office said "it's joyful that the referendum ended in failure", and called the Fidesz government's campaign as "oppressive". Niels Annen,  Spokesman of Foreign Affairs of the SPD group in the Bundestag told to Die Welt that "Europe remains divided after the referendum, yet Orbán's defeat is a good news", as he could not gain majority to his migration policy both internationally and domestically. Alliance '90/The Greens politician Omid Nouripour said Orbán intended to distract attention from internal political problems with the referendum.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, International
CDU politician Gunther Krichbaum said Orbán configured the referendum as a "national fateful question" but it resulted a "political bankruptcy" for him. Jürgen Hardt said the invalid referendum "will further enhance the division and deepen the ditch in Hungary". CSU leading MEP Manfred Weber, however, told Die Welt that the result of referendum can not simply be "swept off the table", as the Hungarian voters clearly demonstrated their opposition to the EU quota system. According to FDP politician and MEP Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, the result was a "slap in the face of Orbán". He added, "Europe cannot functions, if everbody "bake their own national roast". He also noted Orbán "accepts EU funds without hesitation, while blasphemes Europe".


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, International
Commenting on the results, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said the number of "No" votes is "more important" than the low turnout, and also reminded that more Hungarians rejected the migrant quota then had voted for EU membership in 2003. He underlined "It is a mistake to interpret the invalid result as Hungary wanting more immigrants. That, I believe, would be a false interpretation." He called the quota system as "totally unrealistic" and also criticized "the wrong policy" of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and at the same time warned of a condemnation of the Hungarian government.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, International
"It is dangerous if some EU countries give the impression that they are morally superior to other member states. [ ...] If our top goal had not been the distribution of refugees from the outset, but the protection of the external borders, there would probably never have been this referendum in Hungary", he added in his interview to Welt am Sonntag. Harald Vilimsky, secretary of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) pointed out that the turnout was above 40 percent, while in the last European Parliament election in Hungary, it was only 29 percent.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, International
He argued "Even though the referendum is not formally valid, the Hungarians have impressed clearly against the compulsory distribution policy of immigrants in the EU. [ ...] "The policy of Merkel and Brussels has failed. This is also shown by the fact that quota system is not in question for further arriving immigrants". Former UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage called the referendum result as "stunning" in his Twitter message and asked, "Are you listening Mrs. Merkel?"


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, International
According to The Guardian, the invalid result of the referendum gave "potential respite" to the migrant policy of Angela Merkel and EU bureaucrats. The British daily noted that Orbán "called for a cultural counter-revolution within the EU" but failed. BBC's Katya Adler wrote the result was both a "crushing defeat" (low turnout) and an "emphatic victory" (3 million No votes) for Orbán. John Dalhuisen (AI) told to CNN that the referendum was part of an "international PR" by Viktor Orbán.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, International
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung noted the low participation in the vote was not just related to the left-wing opposition's call to boycott. "It reflects, as a whole, an annoyance of the Hungarians over the games of the politicians whether they are sitting in the government or not", as FAZ argued. Politico wrote the referendum showed that Hungary "stands behind" Orbán in his migration policy.


2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, Reactions and analysis, International
According to the article the invalid turnout was irrelevant in political sense: with 98% No vote, Orbán "seeks to claim a larger European role and to present himself as a counterweight to the traditional power brokers in Berlin, Paris and London". Analyst Milan Nič told Orbán "wants to be a prophet of [...] post-liberal, post-factual Europe, built around the backlash against globalization and liberalism [...]".


2016 Hungaroring GP2 and GP3 Series rounds
The 2016 Hungaroring GP2 and GP3 Series rounds were a pair of motor races that were held on 23 and 24 July 2016 at the Hungaroring in Hungary as part of the GP2 Series and GP3 Series. It was the sixth round of the 2016 GP2 season and the fourth round of the 2016 GP3 season. The race weekend supported the 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix.


2016 Hungaroring GP2 and GP3 Series rounds, Background
Richard Gonda returned to the GP3 grid after missing the third round at Silverstone.


2016 Hungaroring GP2 and GP3 Series rounds, Report, GP2 Series, Qualifying
Pierre Gasly secured his second pole position of the year in dominant fashion. With a time of 1:25.612, Gasly was over half a second faster than nearest competitor, Sergey Sirotkin. Prema Racing team-mate, Antonio Giovinazzi achieved third with a time eight-tenths adrift of Gasly's time.


2016 Hungaroring GP2 and GP3 Series rounds, Report, GP2 Series, Feature Race
Gasly took his second win of the season from Sergey Sirotkin and Antonio Giovinazzi.


2016 Hungaroring GP2 and GP3 Series rounds, Report, GP2 Series, Sprint Race
Sirotkin controlled the race to take his first win of the season from the Racing Engineering pair of Jordan King and Norman Nato.


2016 Hungaroring GP2 and GP3 Series rounds, Report, GP3 Series, Qualifying
Nyck de Vries secured his first pole position of the season with a time of 1:32.979 - nearly half a second faster than that of second-placed driver, Matt Parry. Antonio Fuoco achieved third place, only marginally less than half a second off the pace of de Vries.


2016 Hungaroring GP2 and GP3 Series rounds, Report, GP3 Series, Race 1
Matt Parry took his first GP3 win and Koiranen GP's second for the year. Fuoco achieved second and Jake Dennis in third.


2016 Hungaroring GP2 and GP3 Series rounds, Report, GP3 Series, Race 2
Alexander Albon took his third win of the season, extending his lead in the championship over teammate, Leclerc. Arjun Maini achieved second place in his fourth outing with the Jenzer Motorsport team, whilst Leclerc came through in third place.


2016 Huntingdonshire District Council election
The 2016 Huntingdonshire District Council election took place on 5 May 2016 to elect members of Huntingdonshire District Council in England. This was on the same day as other local elections.


2016 Hurghada attack
On 8 January 2016, two suspected militants, armed with a melee weapon and a signal flare, allegedly arrived by sea and stormed the Bella Vista Hotel in the Red Sea city of Hurghada, Egypt, stabbing two foreign tourists from Austria and one from Sweden. (Early reports incorrectly stated that the victims were one German and one Danish national.) One of the attackers, 21-year-old student Mohammed Hassan Mohammed Mahfouz, was killed by police as he tried to take a woman hostage. The other attacker was injured. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility.


2016 Hurghada attack, Attack
An Egyptian court found that the attack was incited by a Syria-based operative of the Islamic State who was in contact with the perpetrators.


2016 Hurghada attack, Attack
According to The Independent, both attackers carried knives and pellet guns. According to Al Jazeera, they carried "a gun, a knife and a suicide belt."


2016 Hurghada attack, Attack
All roads into and out of Hurghada were closed as Egyptian security searched for additional attackers. According to BBC security analyst Frank Gardner, the ISIS goal in inciting such attacks is to undermine crucial support tourism provides to the Egyptian economy.


2016 Hurghada attack, Assailants
There were two attackers, Mohamad Hassan Mohamed Mahfouz and Mohamed Magdy Abul Kheir. Mahfouz was shot dead at the scene; Kheir was wounded. Kheir was charged with possessing ammunition and firearms, joining an illegal group, and attempted murder. He was given a life sentence.


2016 Hurghada attack, Assailants
An operative of the Islamic State, Ahmad Abdel Salam Mansour, an Egyptian national operating out of Syrian, was tried in absentia by an Egyptian court on charges of having incited the two attackers. He was sentenced in absentia to life in prison.


2016 Hurghada attack, Response
Hisham Zaazou, Egypt's Minister of Tourism, responded by announcing new security measures to protect tourists.


2016 Hurghada attack, Response
The attack was one of 78 described by Donald Trump as underreported terrorist attacks.


2016 Hurghada attack, Impact
Egypt, which is a country that depends on tourism saw tourism nosedive during the revolution. Once the country's government began to stabilize and tourism began picking up, terrorists began targeting tourism sites. Due to this and other attacks, 2016 was a "tough year" for the tourism industry in Egypt.


2016 Hwaebul Cup
The 2016 Hwaebul Cup was the fourth edition of the  Hwaebul Cup (홰불, Torch) celebrating North Korea's Youth Day. The competition was held between 27 July and 28 August 2016, with all matches played at the Sŏsan Stadium in P'yŏngyang. The competition was arranged in two phases, a group stage followed by a single-elimination play-off semi-finals, and a single-game final. April 25 won the title for the fourth straight time.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage
Thirteen teams took part in the group stage: : Amrokkang, April 25, Chebi, February 8, Hwaebul, Kyŏnggong'ŏp, Myohyangsan, Rimyŏngsu, Ryong'aksan, Ryongnamsan, Sobaeksu, Sŏnbong, and Wŏlmido. The teams drawn into two groups, with six teams in Group A and seven in Group B; February 8 and Ryongaksan were in Group B.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage
Matches began on 27 July 2016, with Sobaeksu, Sŏnbong, Amrokkang and Ryong'aksan each starting their campaigns with wins; Sobaeksu started off by winning their first two matches, Hwaebul, Rimyŏngsu, April 25, and Kyŏnggong'ŏp each started off with a win and a draw.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage, Group A
Table based on known results. The first- and second-placed teams advanced to the semi-finals. Hwaebul won the group, and Sobaeksu finished second.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage, Group A, Known results
Despite the heavy rain, Sobaeksu dominated Amrokkang right from the start, going up 1-0 early, then extending their lead to 2-0 shortly before the half on a penalty. After the restart, Sobaeksu added another goal to make it 3–0, but Amrokkang spoiled the clean sheet with a late goal, finishing the match at 3–1.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage, Group A, Known results
This was one of the last of the group stage matches. Myohyangsan opened the scoring in the tenth minute, with a long cross from number 14 on the left side to centre, where Jong Chol-min headed the ball into the net. They kept the pressure up, making numerous fast attacks. Ryongnamsan managed several attacks as well; towards the half-hour mark, Myohyangsan took advantage of Ryongnamsan's all-men-up posture, with number 10 seizing the ball in midfield to start a quick counterattack.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage, Group A, Known results
He delivered a long pass to the rushing Ri Hyon-song, who dummied the last defender as well as the goaltender and shot the ball into the undefended net to extend his side's lead to 2–0 on the 30th minute. The second half, however, belonged entirely to Ryongnamsan in terms of ball possession and shots on net, but were unable to convert any of their chances, and the match ended 2–0 in favour of Myohyangsan.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage, Group B
Table based on known results. Sŏnbong started out strong, winning their first two matches, but eventually slowed down, with April 25 and Kyŏnggong'ŏp finishing first and second and advancing to the semi-finals.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage, Group B, Known results
April 25 began the match with an offensive stature, attempting to make quick breaks up either wing; Kyŏnggong'ŏp had set themselves up defensively, looking to take advantage of opportunities for quick counter-attacks. April 25 dominated the first half, having had possession of the ball for 80% of the opening 45 minutes, and having four corner kicks and six shots on goal, compared to Kyŏnggong'ŏp's 20% possession with only a single shot on goal and a single corner. They were, however, solid on defence, and April 25 were unable to take advantage of their superiority.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage, Group B, Known results
Kyŏnggong'ŏp started the second half off with several bold, but fruitless attacks, but towards the end of the match April 25 was back on the offensive, though remained incapable of breaching Kyŏnggong'ŏp's defence. In the 88th minute, Kyŏnggong'ŏp advanced on a sudden counter-attack to score, but the goal was disallowed as off-side, and the match ended 0-0.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage, Group B, Known results
This match was a back-and-forth affair, but neither side was able to convert any of their chances until the 83rd minute, when Kyŏnggong'ŏp managed to break the deadlock with what proved to be the decisive goal.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage, Group B, Known results
This meeting between two powerhouses was well-attended by spectators. Two minutes after April 25 kicked off, Sŏnbong attempted a long-range shot from the midfield with Army's keeper (Ri Kang or Kim Ch'ŏl-nam) off of his line, but the shot went wide. April 25 then took control of the midfield area, stifling Sŏnbong's attempts to attack and successfully preventing any shots against their own goal. The first half ended goalless. Sŏnbong came out to start the second half offensively, having switched to a 4-2-4 formation.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage, Group B, Known results
Both teams pressed their attacks, but it wasn't until late in the game that a goal came. April 25 managed to break out on the wing, taking a shot from left side that was parried by Sŏnbong's keeper. However, the rebound fell to Rim Ch'ŏl-min dashing up the middle, who put the ball up under the crossbar to give April 25 a 1–0 lead. Sŏnbong attacked fiercely over the last few minutes, but they were unable to get past 4.25's keeper. The victory secured April 25's place in the semi-finals.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage, Group B, Known results
Right from the start, this match was played with aggressive, attacking football. Ryong'aksan threatened early on with a two-man rush that led to a free kick just outside February 8's box; Ryong'aksan's Kim Ju-song, a free-kick specialist, converted the set piece to give his team the early lead. Ryong'aksan kept the pressure up through the first half, forcing February 8 to play defensively in the midfield.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Group stage, Group B, Known results
Later in the first half, 2.8 managed a counter, getting a long pass forward to striker number 7, who weaved past a defender and beat the goalie to level the score at a goal a piece; the first half ended at 1-1. February 8 continued to play a tight defensive game in the second half, looking to exploit chances to counterattack. Fifteen minutes from time, they managed to get the ball in midfield, delivering a pass forward to number 7, who scored his second of the game to give his side a 2–1 lead, and proved to be the winning goal for February 8.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Knock-out stage, Semi-finals
The top two finishers in each group advanced to the semi-finals, with the first-placed team in Group A playing the second-placed team in Group B, and vice versa. Scores are not known for either match, but Hwaebul won their match against Kyŏnggong'ŏp, and April 25 won their fixture against Sobaeksu.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Knock-out stage, Final
Like all the other matches, the final was held at Sŏsan Stadium, on 28 August 2016, between April 25 and Hwaebul; the two domestic powers had each finished the group stage at the top of their respective groups. Right from the opening kickoff April 25 came out with an all-out offensive posture, and already in the 9th minute, April 25's An Il-bom scored from the right side of the box to give his team a 1–0 lead, placing the ball high into the net above Hwaebul's keeper (probably Song T'ae).


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Knock-out stage, Final
The goal further energised the Army side, further intensifying their attacks. April 25 were awarded a penalty kick in the 13th minute, which An Il-bom converted to extend the lead to 2–0. Hwaebul then began concentrating on the midfield, trying to stifle 4.25 before they could get into Hwaebul's end of the pitch.


2016 Hwaebul Cup, Knock-out stage, Final
These efforts paid off twenty minutes later, when Hwaebul's number 9 sent a long pass from midfield forward to striker number 22, Kim Jin-hyok, who dribbled the ball past the last defender and put it past April 25's keeper (likely Ri Kang) to cut the lead to 2–1 on the 32nd minute. There was no further scoring until the 82nd minute, when Hwaebul were awarded a penalty that was converted by Kim Jin-hyok, his second of the match, to equalise the score. After a goalless extra time, the match was decided on penalties; April 25's keeper made a save on Hwaebul's third attempt, giving his side a 3–2 win, and fourth straight Hwaebul Cup victory.


2016 Hyndburn Borough Council election
A by-thirds Hyndburn Borough Council local election took place on 5 May 2016. Approximately one third of the local council's 35 seats fell up for election on that day. The following year (one year out of four, next due in 2017) sees Lancashire County Council elections for all residents of this borough.


2016 Hyndburn Borough Council election, Background
Before the election Labour had a majority of 25 councillors, Conservatives had 8 councillors, while UKIP had 2 councillors.


2016 Hyndburn Borough Council election, Background
Labour candidates contested every ward, Conservative candidates contested every ward except Peel-ward, UKIP Candidates contested eight wards (not including their two-uncontested-seats, already won in 2014) and Greens only had two candidates in Altham-ward and Overton-ward.


2016 Hyndburn Borough Council election, Local Election result
The majority grouping of councillors was as the headline result of the election, was that Labour's majority was reinforced by one, with Conservatives having lost one of their seats to Labour, Ukip failed to gain any additional seats:


2016 Hyndburn Borough Council election, Local Election result
After the election, the composition of the council was -


2016 Hyndburn Borough Council election, Local Election result
The four (out of 16) Hyndburn Local Borough Council ward seats that were not up for re election in 2016 include the following wards, Clayton Le Moors, Huncoat, Immanuel in Oswaldtwistle and Milnshaw in Accrington.


2016 Hyndburn Borough Council election, Local Election result
The Church Ward seat, formerly held by Labour Councillor Joan Smith since 2012, and following her resignation in October 2015, was left vacated without a by election called.


2016 Hyndburn Borough Council election, Local Election result
Previous Councillors who were Standing-Down in this election included - Chris Fisher (Lab) (Altham), Joan Smith (Lab) (Church), Kerry Molineux (Lab) (Overton), Wendy Dwyer (Lab) (Peel), Harry Grayson (Lab) (Rishton), Bill Pinder (Lab) (St. Andrews).


2016 Hypo-Meeting
The 42nd edition of the annual Hypo-Meeting took place on May 28 and May 29, 2016 in Götzis, Austria. The track and field competition, featuring a men's decathlon and a women's heptathlon event was part of the 2016 IAAF World Combined Events Challenge. Damian Warner and Brianne Theisen-Eaton led the men's and women's competition, respectively, after the first day. Warner (8523 points) and Theisen-Eaton (6765 points) were the winners of the events overall.


2016 IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge
The 2016 IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge is the seventh edition of the annual, global series of hammer throw competitions organised by the International Association of Athletics Federations.


2016 IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge
A total of thirteen meetings will feature on the circuit, with nine women's and ten men's contests spread across those events. The point scoring format is cumulative – the final standings were decided by the sum of athletes' three best throws on the circuit. Only the best throw by an athlete from each meet was taken into consideration.


2016 IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge, Calendar
The 2016 series calendar mainly comprised IAAF World Challenge meetings, supplemented by the Prefontaine Classic (a Diamond League meet) and three non-IAAF meetings: the Grande Premio Brasil Caixa de Atletismo, István Gyulai Memorial and Paavo Nurmi Games. Performances from the Olympic Games are also valid for the series. The Golden Grand Prix, Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athlétisme de Rabat, Brothers Znamensky Memorial and Karlstad Grand Prix were also dropped from the programme. The Jamaica International Invitational made its debut on the series. The FBK Games, Hanžeković Memorial and Rieti Meeting were initially to be included, but were later dropped.


2016 IAAF Road Race Label Events
The 2016 IAAF Road Race Label Events were the ninth edition of the global series of road running competitions given Label status by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The series included all six World Marathon Majors in the Gold category. The series included a total of 88 road races: 44 Gold, 17 Silver and 27 Bronze. In terms of distance, 59 races were marathons, 19 were half marathons, 8 were 10K runs, and 2 were held over other distances.


2016 IAAF World Challenge
The 2016 IAAF World Challenge was the seventh edition of the annual, global circuit of one-day track and field competitions organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The series featured a total of twelve meetings – one fewer than the previous year as the Ponce Grand Prix de Atletismo and Meeting de Rabat were dropped while the Grande Premio Brasil Caixa de Atletismo returned. The Rieti Meeting was originally scheduled for 11 September, but the meeting folded due to financial issues.


2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships
The 2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships took place on 26 March 2016 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. It was the 22nd edition of the event and the 4th in the United Kingdom alone.


2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships
In conjunction with the men's elite race, an open half marathon was held on the same course for 16,000 competitors.


2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, Race results
Results for the men's and women's elite races are shown below. Results for the open race are kept separately.


2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, Participation
An unofficial count yields the participation of 174 athletes from 49 countries. Although announced, the athletes from  Djibouti and  Sri Lanka did not show.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The 16th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics were held between March 17 and 20, 2016 in Portland, Oregon, United States.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The event did not feature Russia. Following a WADA investigation into widespread and institutional doping practices in Russian athletics, the IAAF provisionally suspended Russia's membership of the organisation in November 2015, effectively excluding the country both from hosting events and entering competitions.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships
Russia's effective exclusion from the tournament was confirmed in November 2015 when it was announced by IAAF that a decision over lifting its provisional suspension from international athletics would not be taken until the end of March at the earliest.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships, Bidding process
Portland was selected unanimously with the only other bidder being 2003 host Birmingham, England. Birmingham was ultimately selected as the host of the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships. The reason Portland was selected for 2016 and Birmingham being selected in 2018 is that the IAAF wanted more time between events in the UK with London hosting the 2012 Olympics as well as the 2017 World Championships in Athletics along with Cardiff hosting the 2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships, Venue
The event took place inside the Oregon Convention Center, fitted with the necessary 200m track and seating for 8,000 spectators. A concept drawing of the plans were released in early 2015, showing a two toned track colored (Oregon) green, with trees adorning the peristyle of the indoor arena.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Masters Men's 800 metres
The masters men's 800 metres was an exhibition event for men in the M60 division at the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships held on 19 March, 2016.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Masters Men's 800 metres
Joe Gough held the lead and the inside lane going into the last lap, only David Roy Wilcock followed as they separated from the pack. Coming off the final turn, Wilcock went wide into lane 2 and outsprinted Gough. As he saw Wilcock passing him, Gough gave it all he had and dove for the finish line, dramatically falling to the track in second place. Oleksandr Lysenko was able to gain a slight edge on the final lap to get bronze out of a tight finish for third.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Masters Women's 800 metres
The masters women's 800 metres was an exhibition event for women in the W55 division at the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships held on 19 March 2016.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Masters Women's 800 metres
Helene Marie Douay led from the gun but it wasn't as simple as that. Lesley Chaplin, Julie Hayden and Karen Brooks were all in close order behind her. On the final lap, Douay put a little bit of a gap on Hayden who was on her shoulder as the lap began, then Chaplin started sprinting from third place. making up almost all of the gap by the finish.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 1500 metres
The men's 1500 metres at the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships took place on March 18 and 20, 2016.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 1500 metres
In the finals, defending champion Ayanleh Souleiman didn't take the lead from the gun, but ran around the field on the first lap to assume first place by the end of the first lap. Dawit Wolde, Aman Wote followed and Matt Centrowitz affixed himself to the outside in third place. At 800 metres (jogged in 2:07.88), Chris O'Hare made a run at the lead, but everybody just sped up and maintained their formation.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 1500 metres
With 400 metres to go, Nicholas Willis made a stronger move to the front which succeeded, Souleiman disappeared out the back with the other leaders in hot pursuit. With a lap to go, Centrowitz got past Wolde for some free running room at Willis three metres ahead. Centrowitz eased his way closer to Willis through the next three quarters of a lap, making a strong move off the final turn sprinting ahead to a one-metre victory. From seventh place, more than 10 metres behind, Jakub Holuša pulled out to lane 2 and sprinted around the field. Coming down the final straightaway he looked like he was in a 400-metre race, dipping at the line just ahead of Willis and barely a half a metre behind Centrowitz. From even further back, Robby Andrews followed Holuša and pipped both Ethiopian runners for fourth place at the line.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 1500 metres, Results, Heats
Qualification: First 3 (Q) and next 3 fastest (q) qualified for the semifinals.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 3000 metres
The men's 3000 metres at the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships took place on March 18 and 20, 2016.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 3000 metres
The final race started as a jog for these athletes, coming through 1K in 2:52, and hitting the half way point at 4:15, Isiah Kiplangat Koech holding the lead. With 6 laps to go, Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku ran around the field into the lead, the pace quickened, the rest of the field scrambling to react. The strongest reaction was by Youssouf Hiss Bachir, literally sprinting into the lead 100 metres later, exchanging elbows with Ndiku. For the next two and a half laps, Hiss Bachir held the lead, sprinting each time a challenger, usually Ndiku tried to creep past.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 3000 metres
With three laps to go Abdalaati Iguider sped through the inside and as he challenged Ndiku everyone sped up and Hiss Bachir disappeared through the field. The field began to string out. With two laps to go, Yomif Kejelcha hit the lead, with Ndiku, Augustine Kiprono Choge, Iguider and Ryan Hill the only ones to give chase. With a lap to go, the first four looked to challenge each other as Hill was falling back, but through the next to last turn, Hill began to accelerate catching Ndiku, who faded out the back. Kejelcha held the lead the entire way to the finish for gold, Choge and Iguider were unable to make headway as the chased. Coming off the final turn, Hill passed both of them, Choge in the final step, dipping at the line and dipping again in confusion after the line.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 3000 metres, Results, Heats
Qualification: First 4 (Q) and next 4 fastest (q) qualified for the semifinals.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 4 × 400 metres relay
The men's 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships took place on March 19 and 20, 2016.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 4 × 400 metres relay
In the first leg of the final, Bahamas' Michael Mathieu was the first to break, keeping Kyle Clemons behind him through the entire leg. Dylan Borlée from the Borlée Brothers Team, Belgium, held off Jamaica's Ricardo Chambers until just before the handoff. The USA executed an ideal first handoff, with Clemons just edging ahead of Mathieu on the final straightaway, reaching across the zone to hand off to Calvin Smith Jr. who gained a two-metre lead over Alonzo Russell in the exchange. From there, USA went unchallenged to the gold medal, continually expanding the lead.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 4 × 400 metres relay
After a short battle with Jamaica's Dane Hyatt, Jonathan Borlée ducked in behind Russell. Lalonde Gordon also ran a strong leg for Trinidad and Tobago to put them near Borlée at the handoff. Robin Vanderbemden was the only non-Borlée brother on the Belgian team. Almost immediately after getting the baton in his right hand, he tangled elbows with Ade Alleyne-Forte, suddenly the Belgian baton was on the ground with Vanderbemden running back into the infield to retrieve it, their race was over and the medal positions established. With the US 25 metres ahead,  Deon Lendore made an attempt to pass Chris Brown on the anchor leg but the veteran, Masters world record holder Brown held him off.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 4 × 400 metres relay, Results, Heats
First 2 teams of each heat (Q) and the next 2 fastest (q) qualified for the final.


2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 400 metres
The men's 400 metres at the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships took place on March 18 and 19, 2016.