ferenc gyurcsany
March 12, 2010, 10:05 CET
Former PM Gyurcsány has no desire for party role
Former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány said Thursday he does not want to be the Socialist party chairman or caucus leader, nor would he accept such posts. In an interview with state news agency MTI, Gyurcsány said Hungarian progress and the... [read complete entry]
March 10, 2010, 09:29 CET
Former PM Gyurcsány to speak on recent years
Former prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsány will make a speech on Hungary's last few years and the tasks ahead at a Democratic Charta public function on March 19. Gyurcsány has until now only addressed closed party forums since resigning as premier... [read complete entry]
March 03, 2010, 09:55 CET
Actually, it was the Free Democrats' unwavering support of the Socialists that killed them
Reading Gábor Horn's comments about how the Kóka-Fodor "duel" killed the liberals, all I could think about was how Horn had finally settled on a scapegoat for his party's demise, and how wrong he was. The Free Democrats' problems more... [read complete entry]
February 24, 2010, 09:40 CET
Fidesz to prosecute politicians for common crimes only
Conservative Fidesz, tipped to win the April general election, said earlier that it would examine the legal background for prosecuting politicians for any misdeeds committed while in office. But Istvan Balsai, Fidesz's chief legal expert, said on Tuesday that former... [read complete entry]
February 22, 2010, 10:03 CET
Campaign experts mull psyche of Hungarian voter
Hungarians are paternalistic, consumption-oriented and pessimistic, a brainstorming conference of researchers and campaign managers seeking a glance into the profile of the typical voter concluded, national daily Nepszabadsag reported on Friday. Addressing voter attitudes before the spring general elections, consultant... [read complete entry]
February 08, 2010, 10:15 CET
Ex-PM Gyurcsány meets Netanjahu, Blair, IMF chief in Israel
Hungary's former Socialist prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsany held a 45-minute consultation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanjahu in Israel on Thursday, a senior adviser to the Prime Minister's Office told the commercial channel ATV. Gyurcsany informed Netanjahu about Hungary's domestic... [read complete entry]
February 03, 2010, 09:18 CET
Gyurcsány fortunes suffer double reversal
Seems that 2009 wasn't only bad for the political career of Ferenc Gyurcsány. In addition to losing his seat at the head of Hungary's political table, he took home less money. According to napi.hu, the wide-loathed former prime minister saw... [read complete entry]
February 03, 2010, 09:13 CET
Parliamentary committee meets over 2006 data disclosure scandal
Hungary's parliamentary budget and finance committee met on Tuesday to discuss opposition charges over the government's handling of financial data in 2006, prior to the general elections. Ferenc Gyurcsany, the incumbent prime minister at the time, was invited to attend... [read complete entry]
January 28, 2010, 09:47 CET
Fidesz launches legal suit against former PM, finance ministry
Opposition Fidesz has launched a legal suit against former prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsany and the finance minister at the time Janos Veres, accusing them of having misled the electorate with inaccurate data on the situation of Hungary's budget, a Fidesz... [read complete entry]
January 18, 2010, 10:42 CET
Raiders to TV headquarters in 2006 sentenced
One person was sentenced to imprisonment, seven others were given suspended prison terms for their part in violent protests in 2006, in which rioters occupied the headquarters of Hungarian Television, a Budapest court said on Friday. On the night of... [read complete entry]
January 14, 2010, 09:59 CET
EU Commissioner rejects collusion charge by Fidesz MEP
Outgoing EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia at a hearing on Tuesday rejected a charge by a Hungarian Fidesz MEP that he had helped the Gyurcsany government to regain power by extending a deadline for amending the country's... [read complete entry]
January 12, 2010, 03:06 CET
Attackers in 2006 siege of MTV headquarters in dock
The criminal prosecutor proposed suspended prison sentences for 8 defendants who took part in the siege of Hungarian state television MTV headquarters on September 18, 2006 in a trial on Monday. The prosecutor also proposed fining a ninth defendant and... [read complete entry]
December 22, 2009, 10:29 CET
New details over secret recording of former PM's infamous speech
Former prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsány's speech to Socialist MPs at Balatonőszöd in May 2006, was recorded within the building, not by anyone with a listening device outside the building, MTV1 News reported. The leak of the speech in September of... [read complete entry]
December 18, 2009, 10:01 CET
Socialist PM candidate attacks president over magazine interview
The Socialist party's prime minister candidate Attila Mesterhazy on Thursday criticised President Laszlo Solyom for comments made in an interview in which he said it would have been better for the country had there been early elections after Ferenc Gyurcsany... [read complete entry]
December 17, 2009, 10:02 CET
President says MPs should have opted for early elections after fall of Gyurcsány
President Laszlo Solyom said in a press interview that Hungary would have come off better if the parliamentary majority had opted for early elections when Ferenc Gyurcsany resigned as prime minister in 2008. "As they only replaced the premier at... [read complete entry]
December 09, 2009, 09:38 CET
Opposition spokesman receives death threat letter containing bullet
Fidesz spokesman Péter Szíjjártó yesterday received a letter containing a ball-cartridge, sent in the name of László Kovács. The letter reads: "You have been lying so much to the Hungarian people that our organisation has sentenced you to death. We... [read complete entry]
December 07, 2009, 12:46 CET
Fidesz unveils campaign poster featuring the "shining stars" of the Socialist Party
As much as Ferenc Gyurcsány was the face of the Socialists' election campaign in 2006, it appears likely that he'll be one of the main faces of Fidesz's current electoral campaign, if the poster above is any indication. As... [read complete entry]
December 07, 2009, 12:35 CET
Addition of Debreczeni to Democratic Forum list will probably backfire
Not so long ago I wrote that the Democratic Forum may be the surprise performer in next year's elections. I'm no longer as convinced of that. Last week, the Democratic Forum announced that the journalist and author József Debreczeni (pictured... [read complete entry]
December 07, 2009, 09:43 CET
Former House Speaker Szili refuses place on MSZP party list
Former Speaker Katalin Szili has asked the Socialist leaders to take her off the party's national list of candidates for the 2010 parliamentary election, as she is unhappy that old names appear in the first ten places, including former Prime... [read complete entry]
December 07, 2009, 08:49 CET
Socialist Party opens election campaign in Budapest
The Socialist Party held its first election-drive event in front of the Gellért Hotel on Szent Gellért tér, Budapest's 11th District yesterday. Prime ministerial candidate Attila Mesterházy, party chairwoman Ildikó Lendvai, Budapest chapter head Sándor Burány, his deputy Zsolt Molnár,... [read complete entry]
November 30, 2009, 10:41 CET
EC Commissioner designate gets employment and social affairs post
Laszlo Andor, Hungary's EC Commissioner designate, will get the employment and social affairs post, it was announced in Brussels on Friday. An economist by profession, Andor, 43, has been a member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development board,... [read complete entry]
November 13, 2009, 09:26 CET
Fidesz demands details on former PM's sinister secret control of "independent" successor
According to this report from last week, Fidesz is demanding to know why Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai and his widely-loathed predecessor, Ferenc Gyurcsány, remain in contact despite the latter's supposed withdrawal from politics, and what they have been discussing during... [read complete entry]
November 09, 2009, 10:25 CET
Gyurcsány and Socialists Celebrate on 53rd Anniversary of Soviet Invasion
It's generally considered poor form to celebrate on a day of national mourning. It's even more improper if the people celebrating on said day are the descendants of the people who are the reason why the day is considered a... [read complete entry]
November 06, 2009, 11:03 CET
Former EBRD director Andor named Hungary's nominee for EU Commission
Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai on Thursday designated László Andor, a member of the board of directors of the EBRD, to the EU Commission, saying there can be no doubt about the candidate's ability and integrity. At a joint press briefing... [read complete entry]
November 04, 2009, 08:31 CET
Tölgyessy: Gyurcsány's speech reveals he is not a democrat
Political analyst and constitutional lawyer Péter Tölgyessy was not so exuberant about forner Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány's speech last week at a Socialist Party function. Tölgyessy, who once upon a time was also the chairman of the Free Democrats back... [read complete entry]
November 03, 2009, 10:52 CET
Political property news: Gyurcsány buy no picnic for Fidesz, Újbuda mayor makes major building mistake
After an intriguingly unsuccessful attempt last year, former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány and his wife Klára Dobrev have managed to buy a property they had been hankering after in the Somogy County village of Kötcse. According to local portal sonline.hu,... [read complete entry]
November 02, 2009, 11:23 CET
Gyurcsány addresses Socialist Party session in first post-PM appearance
Former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany addressed a session of his minority governing Socialist Party on Friday, on the occasion of the party's 20th anniversary. Gyurcsany, who made his first public appearance since he resigned in March, called on the Socialists... [read complete entry]
November 02, 2009, 10:35 CET
Fear among Socialists that time running out for selection of PM candidate
The time has come for the embattled Socialist party to put a face to its impending election campaign by picking a prime-minister candidate, a senior government official said in an interview in Saturday's Nepszava daily. The minority governing party is... [read complete entry]
October 30, 2009, 11:56 CET
Witness says ex-MP told of vast conspiracy in corruption probe
Former Socialist MP János Zuschlag knew his phone was being monitored, was provided manuscripts of conversations recorded by the authorities, and consulted former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány and Socialist Chairwoman Ildikó Lendvai during the prosecution process, a witness said at... [read complete entry]
October 28, 2009, 09:55 CET
Socialists search for "sacrificial lamb" prime ministerial candidate
The Socialist Party is already trying to figure out who to name as its prime ministerial candidate for next year's elections, index.hu reports. Some of the names being tossed around are those of Socialist heavyweights (L-R) József Gráf, Katalin... [read complete entry]
October 19, 2009, 09:29 CET
Bajnai marks six months as PM, lauds "quick results"
"I must admit, I had not expected such speedy progress and such quick results," Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai said in a statement on Friday to mark the sixth month of his cabinet. Warning that the financial crisis is not yet... [read complete entry]
October 16, 2009, 09:50 CET
Gyurcsány, other leading Socialists face questioning in Zuschlag fraud case
A court has ordered the questioning of former prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, Socialist caucus leader Attila Mesterházy, former secret services minister György Szilvásy and three lesser-known politicians as suspects in the Zuschlag fraud case. The Bács county prosecutor has pressed... [read complete entry]
October 05, 2009, 12:19 CET
Prison sentences handed out for 2006 attack on TV building
The Central District Court of Budapest, acting as a court of first instance, on Friday handed out prison sentences to six people involved in the siege of the headquarters of Hungarian Television (MTV) in central Budapest three years ago. One... [read complete entry]
October 01, 2009, 12:36 CET
Gyurcsany still costing the nation millions each year
Due to the various laws on severance packages given to former public officials who served in the highest capacities, former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány is still costing Hungarian taxpayers approximately Ft 20 million a year, borsonline.hu reports. Though one of... [read complete entry]
October 01, 2009, 10:10 CET
PM reportedly ready to nominate Socialist for EU commissioner
Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai and ruling Socialist Party leaders will discuss on Friday whom to nominate as European commissioner, Nepszabadsag daily said on Thursday. The three Socialist politicians running for the post are MEP Edit Herczog, incumbent commissioner Laszlo Kovacs... [read complete entry]
September 30, 2009, 09:05 CET
Running trail succeeds where opposition failed
Former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány's hobby of running has left him confined to his house for the next two weeks, hirtv.hu reported. According to the television station, Gyurcsány was out running on the Hármashatár Hill when he sprained his ankle.... [read complete entry]
September 25, 2009, 10:49 CET
Former PM Gyurcsány denies he plans to start new party
Hungary's former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany is not planning to set up a party of his own, Gyurcsany's office told MTI on Thursday, in reaction to a report in conservative weekly Heti Valasz. "Gyurcsany supports unity within the (minority governing)... [read complete entry]
September 24, 2009, 09:35 CET
Majority expects Fidesz to form government without coalition partners
More than half of Hungarians, 58%, expect Fidesz to form a government on its own after next year's parliamentary elections, according to a poll by the conservative Nézõpont institute. Only 33% disagree. Some 49% of Socialist Party supporters and 52%... [read complete entry]
September 14, 2009, 09:42 CET
Orbán denounces draft 2010 budget; warns of "collapse" of state services
Fidesz chairman Viktor Orbán on Friday urged the cabinet to withdraw the draft 2010 budget and not stand in the way of change as he addressed a Fidesz rally to launch the autumn political season. Speaking at Budapest's Millenáris Park,... [read complete entry]
September 04, 2009, 09:48 CET
Gyurcsány linked to possible new liberal party
Ex-Free Democrat chairman Gábor Fodor sees a chance for the establishment of a new liberal party in which he could play a part, if its set of values were close to his own. In an interview with heol.hu website, Fodor... [read complete entry]
September 02, 2009, 09:37 CET
Extent of benefits enjoyed by retiring public servants revealed
As Hungarians continue to keep a close eye on where their taxes go, newspapers will continue to write headlines like the above. But although public dignitaries in Hungary are entitled to benefits long after their service in office ends, the... [read complete entry]
August 24, 2009, 11:21 CET
Hungarian politicians less popular than ever
Hungary's politicians scored an average 29 points out of 100 in a recent Szonda Ipsos popularity poll, the daily Nepszabadsag said on Monday. Only President Laszlo Solyom and Viktor Orban, leader of the main opposition Fidesz party, were close to... [read complete entry]
August 12, 2009, 09:52 CET
Gyurcsány presides over "black" wedding in Budapest
Just a few days after Ádám Ficsor announced that he was resigning as minister for secret services to run the Socialists' upcoming reelection campaign, he sprung another little surprise on his cowering subjects around Hungary: He's married! According to tabloid... [read complete entry]
August 12, 2009, 09:47 CET
Bajnai reportedly planning autumn cabinet reshuffle
Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai plans to carry out a major cabinet reshuffle in the autumn as the Socialist Party's popularity has not improved, despite the replacement of former premier Ferenc Gyurcsány, sources close to the cabinet told Magyar Nemzet on... [read complete entry]
August 06, 2009, 10:43 CET
Socialists expected to seek campaign advisers from abroad
The Socialist Party is expected to approach US consultants to direct its election campaign strategy, Népszabadság reports. The party has previously used the advisors of former US President Bill Clinton and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and won the... [read complete entry]
July 27, 2009, 12:43 CET
Kóka to outdo former mentor Gyurcsány, completely destroy his party
It was only years ago that Free Democrat parliamentary faction leader (and former party chairman) János Kóka was the protégé of former prime minister and Socialist Party chairman Ferenc Gyurcsány. Then the two of them stopped getting along, and Kóka,... [read complete entry]
July 27, 2009, 10:32 CET
Orbán says right wing "without challenger" on political battlefield
The right wing is currently left without a challenger in the battlefield, which is a rare moment in party democracy, opposition Fidesz party leader Viktor Orban said in a piece published in Saturday's issue of daily Magyar Nemzet. Like Fidesz... [read complete entry]
July 27, 2009, 09:54 CET
Analysts see Bajnai cabinet as more effective than predecessor's
In spite of coming to power only about a year before Hungary's next general elections, Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai is leading no lame-duck government; on the contrary, his cabinet has more to show for their efforts than the previous government... [read complete entry]
July 01, 2009, 10:41 CET
Fidesz mayor of Debrecen tops political popularity survey; Orbán gains
Politicians of the main opposition Fidesz party gained in popularity and strengthened their lead over their Socialist rivals in June, pollster Szazadveg-Forsense told MTI on Tuesday. The popularity list is topped by Lajos Kosa, deputy leader of Fidesz and mayor... [read complete entry]
June 09, 2009, 11:19 CET
MSZP plans "survival" strategy; aim for one-third of vote in general election
Stick by Gordon Bajnai and focus on getting at least a third of the vote in the next general election -- so says the ruling Socialist party's survival strategy outlined in Tuesday's Nepszabadsag daily. The beleaguered minority governing party says... [read complete entry]
June 04, 2009, 09:32 CET
Jobbik party slogan deemed unconstitutional
The Jobbik party slogan "Hungary belongs to Hungarians" is unconstitutional, the National Election Commission (OVB) declared on Wednesday. A person had filed a complaint against the slogan, based on a passage in the Constitution which states that "National and ethnic... [read complete entry]
May 22, 2009, 09:43 CET
Lamperth concedes MSZP mistakes, says party needs to "start from scratch"
Something went amiss under the leadership of the former prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, Socialist Party deputy chairwoman Mónika Lamperth said in an interview with Népszabadság on Thursday. "Problems might have been with the techniques of creating a better country, rather... [read complete entry]
May 21, 2009, 09:57 CET
Former PM visits children at "secret" school in Germany
Former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány and his wife Klára Dobrev have travelled to Munich to join their children Tamás and Anna, who have been schooled in the German city since last year. Gyurcsány and Dobrev reportedly forbade even their closest... [read complete entry]
May 18, 2009, 01:05 CET
Sacrifice of Gyurcsány leads to severe case of "leader asymmetry"
The political struggles of the upcoming year in Hungary will be deeply impacted by the fact that the left's "sacrificing" of its leader - former premier Ferenc Gyurcsány - and the subsequent elevation of Gordon Bajnai to prime minister has... [read complete entry]
May 13, 2009, 09:34 CET
Orbán tops popularity poll, Bajnai trails badly
Viktor Orban, the leader of conservative opposition Fidesz, was Hungary's most popular politician in May, according to a Szonda Ipsos poll published in Tuesday's Nepszabadsag. Gordon Bajnai, the new prime minister heading the Socialist government, was among the least liked... [read complete entry]
April 22, 2009, 09:41 CET
Fidesz widens gap with Socialists, 70%-18%
Conservative opposition Fidesz party has opened the gap over the governing Socialists in the wake of the stepping down of Ferenc Gyurcsany, and the appointment of Gordon Bajnai as prime minister, and the radical nationalist Jobbik reached the threshold to... [read complete entry]
April 16, 2009, 10:42 CET
Bajnai to stick with secret service nominee despite committee's rejection
Hungary's prime minister Gordon Bajnai is sticking to the nomination of Adam Ficsor as minister in charge of secret services, despite the a parliamentary committee's rejection of Ficsor earlier on Wednesday, the government spokeswoman said.... [read complete entry]
April 16, 2009, 09:47 CET
New PM says crisis response non-ideological
A crisis has no ideology, it is neither left- or right-wing. What must be done, must be accomplished irrespective of ideology, Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai said in an interview with Népszabadság on Wednesday.... [read complete entry]
April 15, 2009, 09:27 CET
MPs reject motion to dissolve parliament
Parliamentary deputies on Tuesday voted against a proposal seeking to dissolve parliament and facilitate early elections to be put on the agenda.... [read complete entry]
April 15, 2009, 09:20 CET
Police battle protestors as thousands demonstrate around Parliament
A largely peaceful demonstration against the election of Gordon Bajnai as Prime Minister and in favour of early elections turned violent on Tuesday afternoon as some protesters tried to break through police lines.... [read complete entry]
April 14, 2009, 10:19 CET
Parliament to hold vote of no confidence today
Parliament is expected to pass a constructive no-confidence motion this afternoon to simultaneously dismiss Ferenc Gyurcsány and his cabinet and usher in Gordon Bajnai and his new government.... [read complete entry]
April 14, 2009, 09:46 CET
Bajnai cabinet expected to retain some Gyurcsány holdovers
Some ministers of outgoing Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany's cabinet are expected to keep their post in Gordon Bajnai's new government, which will feature some new members as well, the online edition of national daily Nepszabadsag said on Monday.... [read complete entry]
April 14, 2009, 09:45 CET
Demonstrations planned around afternoon vote on new PM
Speaker Katalin Szili on Friday rejected a request put forward from the Civil Unity Forum umbrella group to let its representatives address MPs in Tuesday’s debate on the constructive no-confidence motion. The group is organising a large protest to be... [read complete entry]
April 10, 2009, 10:45 CET
Popularity of Hungary's politicians continues to drift down
The popularity of almost all Hungarian politicians declined in March compared with the previous month, a poll published in Friday's Nepszabadsag daily said.... [read complete entry]
April 10, 2009, 10:25 CET
MPs face crucial votes next Tuesday
Hungarian Parliament will convene next Tuesday to vote on the no confidence motion initiated by outgoing Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany against himself, and on a referendum to be called on tightening the parliamentary deputies' reimbursement rules, House Speaker Katalin Szili... [read complete entry]
April 08, 2009, 09:57 CET
Socialists submit "constructive no-confidence" motion against Gyurcsány
The governing Socialist party submitted, as expected, a constructive motion of no-confidence in Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany to parliament on Tuesday.... [read complete entry]
April 07, 2009, 10:13 CET
New Socialist boss says she expects new faces in cabinet
Many people on the left wing would prefer to forget the past two weeks, new Socialist Party leader Ildikó Lendvai said in an interview with Népszabadság on Monday.... [read complete entry]
April 06, 2009, 03:28 CET
Everything you need to know about Hungary's new leaders to feel sick to your stomach
As expected, over the weekend Hungary's Socialists officially picked replacements for both prime minister and party leader. (Both positions had been held by Ferenc Gyurcsány, who within a few short days is expected to be shuffled off to a... [read complete entry]
April 06, 2009, 10:25 CET
Thousands protest in Budapest in favor of early elections
A crowd estimated at 25,000-60,000 converged on Heroes Square Sunday afternoon to demand early elections. The vast square was filled to overflowing, with people standing on the steps of the Fine Arts and Műcsarnok galleries, and a crowd extending along... [read complete entry]
April 06, 2009, 08:52 CET
Poll data show Fidesz securing two-thirds majority in new elections
Hungary's main opposition Fidesz party would win two thirds of the votes at a general election if it were held this weekend, research firm Progressziv Intezet (Progressive Institute) said in an analysis released on Friday.... [read complete entry]
April 06, 2009, 08:18 CET
Socialists formally tap Bajnai for PM, Lendvai for party chief
The minority governing Socialist Party elected Gordon Bajnai prime minister candidate and Ildiko Lendvai party chair with an overwhelming majority at its extraordinary congress on Sunday.... [read complete entry]
April 03, 2009, 10:48 CET
Socialists poised to nominate Bajnai as PM, Lendvai as party chief
The Socialist Party national council was united in support for Gordon Bajnai becoming Hungary's next prime minister yesterday.... [read complete entry]
April 02, 2009, 09:58 CET
Fidesz slightly extends lead over Socialists in new poll
Support levels for Hungary's political parties virtually stagnated in March, with Fidesz slightly expanding its already expansive lead over the minority governing Socialists, according to a Tarki poll published on Wednesday.... [read complete entry]
April 01, 2009, 09:46 CET
Lendvai to run for MSZP chair
Socialist Party caucus leader Ildikó Lendvai was persuaded at a meeting of the party's executive committee and county chapter leaders yesterday to run for the soon to be vacant post of party chair at Sunday's convention.... [read complete entry]
April 01, 2009, 09:43 CET
Bajnai vows to serve as PM for Ft 1 a month, deliver details on reforms
Hungary's likely next prime minister Gordon Bajnai would work for Ft 1 a month, Socialist Party officials told MTI on Tuesday, confirming reports on several websites.... [read complete entry]
April 01, 2009, 08:13 CET
SZDSZ maintain technocrat cabinet best solution to crisis
The executives and parliamentary group of Hungary's liberal opposition Free Democrats have proposed to the party's national board to back a technocrat government, as this is the best way to tackle the social and financial crisis, the party's leader Gabor... [read complete entry]
April 01, 2009, 08:11 CET
Bokros praises Bajnai's nomination as PM, says will offer advice
Gordon Bajnai's nomination as prime minister was a good decision "considering the circumstances", Lajos Bokros, a former reformist finance minister, said on Tuesday.... [read complete entry]
March 31, 2009, 10:43 CET
Conservative groups plan "huge" anti-government protest on April 5th
A group of conservative civil groups plan to mount a "huge" demonstration in Budapest's Heroes' Square on April 5, the day the minority governing Socialist party plans to officially designate a new prime minister, Nepszabadsag daily said on Tuesday.... [read complete entry]
March 31, 2009, 10:25 CET
Party leaders express opinions on Bajnai
Party representatives gave their opinions on the nomination of Economy Minister Gordon Bajnai for the post of prime minister before regular business in Parliament yesterday afternoon.... [read complete entry]
March 31, 2009, 10:22 CET
PM-nominee Bajnai warns that tough times lie ahead for Hungarians
Gordon Bajnai yesterday accepted a nomination for the post of prime minister on condition that the Socialist and the Free Democrat MPs endorse the main points of his crisis-management plan. Bajnai announced his intention to nominate "non-party politicians" to run... [read complete entry]
March 31, 2009, 08:30 CET
Public support for Bajnai just 8% on eve of appointment
Gordon Bajnai, the Socialist party's choice to head the next government, commands only eight percent support, according to a Nezopont Institute poll on Monday.... [read complete entry]
March 31, 2009, 07:58 CET
MSZP backing for Bajnai not limitless, Socialist official says
Hungary's Prime Minister nominee Gordon Bajnai is seeking broad support for his austerity programme, he has not asked the Socialists for a "blank cheque," a senior Socialist official said on Monday.... [read complete entry]
March 30, 2009, 11:55 CET
New PM nominee pledges search for consensus in implementing reforms
The Socialist party's prime minister nominee, Gordon Bajnai, said on Monday that he would start consulting business and political groups -- including all parliamentary parties -- on measures to tackle the economic crisis.... [read complete entry]
March 30, 2009, 11:33 CET
Poll finds Hungarians more pessimistic than ever
Hungarians have never been as pessimistic as in these days, according to a survey by the pollster institute Szazadveg-Forsense, published on Friday.... [read complete entry]
March 30, 2009, 11:09 CET
Bajnai sets out conditions for accepting premiership
The governing Socialist party's nominee to replace Ferenc Gyurcsany as prime minister, Gordon Bajnai, has told the party and the liberal Free Democrats -- which has decided to support his candidacy -- that he requires the explicit backing of both... [read complete entry]
March 30, 2009, 10:15 CET
Socialists, Liberal leadership agree on Economy Minister Bajnai for PM
The Free Democrats' caucus and party executive are asking the party's most senior body, the national council, to support Gordon Bajnai's nomination to become Hungary's next prime minister, chairman Gábor Fodor announced late on Sunday night.... [read complete entry]
March 30, 2009, 09:54 CET
Gyurcsány quits MSZP leadership, warns against splitting title with PM
Outgoing Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany on Saturday tendered his resignation as chairman of the minority governing Socialist Party (MSZP).... [read complete entry]
March 27, 2009, 03:06 CET
US Ambassador's parting shot: We'll deal with any lunatic you Hungarians elect, but first you need to suffer
We try to avoid going to any event which involves ambassadors giving speeches, because usually professional diplomats are so diplomatic they never say anything interesting. Not so for amateurs like US Ambo April Foley, who made a farewell speech of... [read complete entry]
March 27, 2009, 10:33 CET
Analysts say odds of early elections growing
The possibility of early elections in Hungary is increasing by the day and the minority governing Socialists might even be made interested to look into that option, political analysts told MTI on Friday.... [read complete entry]
March 27, 2009, 10:30 CET
Socialists to continue PM search; FinMin says person must have MSZP ties
Hungary's governing Socialist party's presidium on Friday will discuss several candidates to replace outgoing Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany, the finance minister told public television.... [read complete entry]
March 27, 2009, 10:00 CET
Fidesz dismisses PM selection process as "pathetic comedy"
"What is now underway is an ever more pathetic comedy, and an extremely irresponsible act for the country and its people," Fidesz spokesman Péter Szíjjártó told reporters on Thursday. He opined that "the Socialists and Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány are... [read complete entry]