People still confused on European issues: In February, Hungary's Prime Minister, Mr Peter Medgyessy, offered a deal on the European elections: he suggested drawing up a list of opposition and government candidates and splitting the 24 available seats.
This move would have been unprecedented, but not, apparently, against the rules. However, Hungarians met it with bafflement, and then ridicule.
FIDESZ, the centre-right main opposition party, reacted predictably by playing party politics.
Following its lead, domestic issues predominate in all parties' campaigns. Election literature concentrates on employment, social security and pensions.
Mr Attila Benedek, head of Budapest's Euro-info Centre, is frustrated: "There's no European dimension at all. FIDESZ is acting like this is an opportunity to change the government." Surveys show that the only EU issues to concern voters are structural funds and social welfare. Just six weeks into membership people are understandably confused.
The two main parties are expected to clean up, with FIDESZ possibly just topping the poll with 11 seats, leaving the socialists with 10. Of the remainder, MDF (Hungarian Democratic Forum) should take at least one, and the Liberals two.
Seven parties are running for election but only these four are expected to reach the requisite 5 per cent threshold to qualify for seats. All are broadly pro-EU.
To the government's relief, MIEP, the right-wing, Eurosceptic 'Party of Hungarian Justice and Life' is unlikely to pass the 5 per cent test.
The Green Party traditionally does better in European than in national elections, but it has yet to make inroads in Eastern Europe. Hungary has an environmental party, the Danube Circle, but it has little or no influence.
The main problem will be getting people to the polls. At last year's membership referendum only 45 per cent voted - the lowest of any of the applicant countries. The estimated turnout for this election is 35-45 per cent, but may well be lower.