Although the gap of support between main opposition Fidesz and the ruling Socialists has narrowed in January compared to last November, Fidesz's lead over its main rival has remained significant, according to a poll by Tarki released to MTI on Wednesday.

The difference in the two main parties' backing dropped to 40 percentage points in the first month of the year from 51 percentage points in November of 2009, the poll taken on January 8-18 said.

Tarki attributed the decrease to a more conscious attitude of voters, being more aware of nearing elections on April 11.

Among all voters, centre-right Fidesz's support dropped to 35 percent from 37 percent in December 2009. The party's support was on 39 percent last November. The Socialists recorded a backing of 12 percent in January, after 11 percent in each of the previous two months in the whole voting sample.

Among voters with a clear party preference, Fidesz had a 62 percent to 22 percent lead over the Socialists, moving from last December's 63:19 percent and the previous month's 68:17 percent.

Support for the radical nationalist non-parliamentary party Jobbik was 6 percent among all voters, down from December's 7 percent. Its backing among decided voters was 11 percent, down from December's 12 percent.

Of the smaller opposition parties, the conservative Democratic Forum was favoured in January by 2 percent among the whole sample and by 4 percent in the clear party preference group.

The liberal Free Democrats' support was on 1 percent in both groups, falling short of the 5 percent threshold to win seats in Hungary's Parliament.

If elections were held this Sunday, 51 percent of eligible voters would turn out for the vote, unchanged from December last year, the poll said.