ibolya david

February 12, 2010, 09:44 CET

MDF leader warns of two-thirds "Fidesz-Jobbik" majority

The upcoming elections will determine whether the government will be replaced, for which there is a need, and whether a two-thirds "Fidesz-Jobbik" majority will be prevented, Democratic Forum leader Ibolya Dávid declared in Miskolc on Thursday. Presenting the party's local... [read complete entry]

February 03, 2010, 09:37 CET

All MPs hand in assets statements on time

All of Hungary's MPs handed in their assets statement by the 8 p.m. deadline on Monday. Socialist Party chairwoman Ildikó Lendvai has a 104m² flat in downtown Budapest and savings of $1,600. She earns a monthly salary of nearly Ft... [read complete entry]

January 22, 2010, 02:05 CET

Small parties call on big parties to recall Radio and Television Board members

According to kreativ.hu, the newly harmonious alliance between the Democratic Forum and Free Democrats has called for Fidesz and the Socialists to pull their delegates from the National Radio and Television Board (ORTT), following its controversial radio license decision. Democratic... [read complete entry]

January 19, 2010, 10:14 CET

Retkes says centrist alliance can hit 10% mark at elections

The alliance of the Free Democrats and the Democratic Forum forms a "democratic centre" which could win 10% of votes in the parliamentary elections, Free Democrat chairman Attila Retkes told Népszabadság on Monday. The party is also holding talks with... [read complete entry]

January 19, 2010, 07:27 CET

Did Democratic Forum unwittingly reveal who is really running the show?

Many have noted the rise to prominence of former Finance Minister Lajos Bokros within the Democratic Forum, but apparently, he's even secretly usurped party chairwoman Ibolya Dávid's position. At least that would appear to be the case as noted... [read complete entry]

January 13, 2010, 09:31 CET

Democratic Forum may field Liberals, former US ambassador in 2010 elections

Former ambassador to Washington Andras Simonyi is planned to top the Budapest list of conservative opposition MDF party candidates in the 2010 general elections, daily Nepszava said on Tuesday, quoting unnamed sources. The paper also said that MDF and the... [read complete entry]

January 06, 2010, 01:41 CET

MDF head says Bokros only serious challenger to Orbán

The results of last year's European Parliamentary elections prove that there is room in Hungary for a responsible conservative party, leader of the Democratic Forum Ibolya David told MTI in an interview on Wednesday. David insisted that the party's candidate... [read complete entry]

November 24, 2009, 03:15 CET

Dávid offers to resign if Democratic Forum doesn't enter parliament next year

Demoratic Forum Chairwoman Ibolya Dávid has said that she would resign her post if her party failed to reach the 5% threshold to enter parliament in next year's elections, Bors reports. Dávid added, however, that she believes this would be... [read complete entry]

October 27, 2009, 10:54 CET

MDF will not cooperate with Liberals in next election

The small conservative opposition Democratic Party is not planning to cooperate with the liberal Free Democrats at next year's general elections, party leader Ibolya David told daily Nepszabadsag on Tuesday. David said there was no party in Hungary today whose... [read complete entry]

October 09, 2009, 10:31 CET

MDF leader addresses congress of British Conservatives

Populism and political demagoguery have once again "become popular" in Europe, conservative opposition MDF leader Ibolya David told the British Conservative Party congress on Thursday. David is an honorary guest at the event in Manchester. She said Europe was facing... [read complete entry]

September 30, 2009, 09:21 CET

Democratic Forum chairwoman featured in upcoming issue of Playboy

Before some of you get excited, no, Democratic Forum Chairwoman is not the subject of a celebrity pictorial in the upcoming issue of Hungarian Playboy; that distinction goes to television presenter Klaudia Liptai. Dávid, however, is this month's celebrity interview... [read complete entry]

September 16, 2009, 09:36 CET

Parliament's immunity committee delays decision on MDF leaders

Parliament's immunity committee on Tuesday asked for more documents from the Prosecutor General and put off a decision on suspending the right of Democratic Forum chairwoman Ibolya Dávid and MP Károly Herényi to immunity from prosecution. The prosecutors asked Parliament... [read complete entry]

August 31, 2009, 11:36 CET

Furore erupts over Fidesz calls to ban Gay Pride march

The ruling Socialist Party called upon the main opposition Fidesz party to recall its representative, Ilona Ekes, from Parliament's human rights committee because of her recent homophobic remarks, Socialist MP Zsolt Torok told MTI on Sunday. Ibolya David, leader of... [read complete entry]

July 28, 2009, 12:46 CET

Rival opposition party chairwoman defends Fidesz chief by slamming him

Democratic Forum Chairwoman Ibolya Dávid has been critical of the Socialist Party for what she calls their attempts to make a political issue out of Fidesz Chairman Viktor Orbán's vacation to swine flu hotspot Mexico, stop.hu reported. The Socialist Party... [read complete entry]

July 27, 2009, 10:11 CET

PM calls for cooperation between government, opposition parties

Hungary's Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai on Friday asked the political parties to cooperate with the government in its efforts to manage the current crisis. In a letter sent to party group leaders and Ibolya David, head of the small conservative... [read complete entry]

July 07, 2009, 09:40 CET

Official inquiry into controversial security firm halted

The Customs and Excise Guard has terminated its investigation into the private security company UD, declaring that no crime had been committed. UD was the centre of a surveillance case unleashed by Democratic Forum leader Ibolya Dávid last September after... [read complete entry]

June 29, 2009, 10:07 CET

MDF head refutes blackmail claim; charges prosecutorial misconduct

Ibolya Dávid accused the prosecutor's office of violating the law and denied that she had committed a crime against OTP chairman-CEO Sándor Csányi on MTV's "Nap-kelte" talk show on Saturday morning. Dávid also accused the prosecutor's office of using the... [read complete entry]

June 23, 2009, 09:30 CET

Fidesz, MDF chiefs squabble over proposal for cooperation

Fidesz chairman Viktor Orbán on Monday responded to a political proposal made by Democratic Forum chairwoman Ibolya Dávid that he "had never been in a situation where a woman had forced herself upon him like this". Dávid had suggested on... [read complete entry]

June 22, 2009, 10:28 CET

Dávid re-elected head of MDF in disputed vote at weekend congress

Ibolya David, leader of the conservative opposition Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF), was re-elected overwhelmingly in a show of hands at the party's national meeting on Saturday, MDF Spokesperson Szabolcs Kerek-Barczy told MTI. Of the 378 eligible voters, 274 delegates participated... [read complete entry]

May 19, 2009, 10:41 CET

Orbán, Dávid cast "mistaken" votes for bill on pay for ministers

Fidesz chairman Viktor Orbán accidentally voted in favour of reducing ministers' salaries in Parliament on Monday, the senior opposition party's press chief told state news agency MTI. By pressing the "yes" button, Orbán became the only Fidesz-Christian Democrat alliance MP... [read complete entry]

May 04, 2009, 10:00 CET

MDF likens party's policies to those of Britain's Tories

Hungary's Democratic Forum (MDF) and the British Conservatives are similar and are proceeding along a "normal" conservative path, Ibolya David, the MDF leader, told a news conference on Thursday.... [read complete entry]

April 08, 2009, 12:01 CET

Fidesz rejects offer of talks with "illegitimate" Bajnai cabinet

Fidesz yesterday rejected an invitation from Prime Minister designate Gordon Bajnai to discuss the future cabinet's plans to manage the economic crisis.... [read complete entry]

April 02, 2009, 10:05 CET

MDF leader calls for early elections in autumn

The opposition Democratic Forum will ask Prime Minister nominee Gordon Bajnai to support calling early elections in the autumn, party leader Ibolya David said on Wednesday.... [read complete entry]

March 25, 2009, 08:38 CET

Socialists name three potential prime ministers

The Socialist Party executive committee named three potential candidates for the post of prime minister on Tuesday evening.... [read complete entry]

March 24, 2009, 01:25 CET

MDF says no to coalition with Socialists

Hungary's small opposition Democratic Forum (MDF) ruled out forming a coalition with the minority Socialist party, which is seeking a replacement for Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany, at talks on Tuesday, the party's leader told the press.... [read complete entry]

March 17, 2009, 08:53 CET

MDF parliamentary faction dissolved; MPs to become independents

The Democratic Forum parliamentary caucus was dissolved yesterday after MP András Csáky formally announced his departure from the group, leaving it one short of the minimum ten MPs required to maintain caucus status. Csáky will stay in Parliament as an... [read complete entry]

March 12, 2009, 02:09 CET

The Hail Mary that will likely become an interception

The decision by Democratic Forum chairwoman Ibolya Dávid to place Lajos Bokros at the head of her party's European Parliamentary electoral list has been nothing short of controversial, with response generally negative. While questioning the motives behind the decision (which... [read complete entry]

March 11, 2009, 08:00 CET

All Hungarian politicians have negative ratings in new poll

Szonda Ipsos's latest political beauty contest awards top prizes to Hungary's president, its house speaker, the main opposition leader and the head of a small conservative opposition party whose parliamentary group has just disintegrated, Nepszabadsag daily said on Tuesday.... [read complete entry]

March 10, 2009, 09:13 CET

Dávid proposes "constructive" no-confidence vote to make Bokros PM

The Democratic Forum will propose a constructive no-confidence motion to replace Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány with former finance minister Lajos Bokros, party leader Ibolya Dávid announced before regular business in Parliament Monday.... [read complete entry]

March 09, 2009, 07:27 CET

Bokros said to accept invitation to lead MDF list for EP election

Lajos Bokros, finance minister in Gyula Horn's socialist-liberal government in 1995-1996, is prepared to head the conservative opposition Democratic Forum's list in this year's European parliamentary elections, party leader Ibolya David said after the Saturday session of her party's national... [read complete entry]

March 06, 2009, 10:27 CET

Bokros's fate in EP elections will not mirror Dávid's, party spokesman says

Even if the Democratic Forum fails to attract enough voters to send Lajos Bokros to the European Parliament, party chairwoman Ibolya Dávid will not step down, party spokesman Szabolcs Kerék-Bárczy announced, as reported by atv.hu.... [read complete entry]

March 05, 2009, 09:34 CET

MDF calls for special parliamentary session on weak forint

Hungary's conservative Democratic Forum party has called for an extraordinary parliamentary session to discuss the situation of the country's currency, the forint, Ibolya David, the party's leader, told MTI on Wednesday.... [read complete entry]

February 26, 2009, 09:59 CET

Dávid says Bokros' ideas offer "security"; others lambast choice for MDF EP list

Democratic Forum chairwoman Ibolya Dávid confirmed in Népszabadság on Wednesday that the Forum executive committee has asked former finance minister Lajos Bokros to head the party's list of MEP candidates.... [read complete entry]

February 04, 2009, 09:52 CET

MDF wades into "Gypsy crime" debate, demands more police

The small opposition MDF party demands the strengthening of the police force to defend the people, party chair Ibolya David said on Tuesday.... [read complete entry]

January 30, 2009, 09:35 CET

MDF says gov't guilty of inaction over economic crisis, pushes for flat tax

The response of Hungary's government to the financial and economic crisis over the past two to three months has been superficial and has lacked vigour, Ibolya David, leader of the small conservative opposition Democratic Forum, at during an extraordinary parliamentary... [read complete entry]

January 28, 2009, 09:40 CET

Fidesz to seek dissolution of parliament, early elections

Hungary's main opposition Fidesz party and Christian Democrat ally is putting forward a motion to dissolve parliament, Fidesz parliamentary group leader Tibor Navracsics said on Tuesday.... [read complete entry]

January 09, 2009, 09:52 CET

Youth organizations embrace political infighting

They say that if you put two Hungarians in a room together, they will form three political parties. This looks like being a handy truism for some time to come. A new conservative youth organization linked to opposition party MDF,... [read complete entry]

January 08, 2009, 08:41 CET

Majority of Hungarian politicians lost popularity in 2008

The popularity of most politicians fell in 2008, with the largest drop suffered by opposition MDF party leader Ibolya David, opposition liberal Free Democrats leader Gabor Fodor and President Laszlo Solyom, according to a poll by Szonda Ipsos published in... [read complete entry]

January 06, 2009, 11:26 CET

Praise for MPs as they "finally learn to vote"

Although it was widely feared that the coalition split in April 2008 would lead to even more intense political infighting and even less affirmative action, at least one good thing does seem to have resulted from the minority rule –... [read complete entry]

December 10, 2008, 07:58 CET

MDF leader to waive immunity to face allegations of "underworld tactics"

Hungarian Democratic Forum leader Ibólya Dávid has announced that she will waive her parliamentary immunity in order to clear her name of allegations made by party rival Kornél Almássy, writes Index.hu".... [read complete entry]

November 13, 2008, 12:10 CET

Sólyom loses popularity after national summit snub

State President László Sólyom's popularity index has decreased by five points, according to a fresh poll by Szonda Ipsos, summarized by Népszabadság. The pollster speculated that the slump was caused by Sólyom's decision to skip last month's national summit initiated... [read complete entry]

October 17, 2008, 09:12 CET

Participants in Saturday's "national summit" split on expectations for meeting

The prime minister sees Saturday's National Summit - convened to explore options amidst the global financial crisis - as a chance to start rebuilding across-the-political-aisle cooperation.... [read complete entry]

October 16, 2008, 09:24 CET

Experts, politicians dubious about "national summit" concept

Political scientists on Wednesday criticised Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany's crisis-tackling national summit called for Saturday, while opposition leaders said they were sceptical but would attend in order to promote dialogue.... [read complete entry]

October 08, 2008, 01:41 CET

Parliament agains rejects idea to reduce number of MPs

The Socialist, Free Democrat and Democratic Forum parties rejected a Fidesz proposal to reduce the number of MPs from the current 386 to 200 when the issue was debated in Parliament on Tuesday.... [read complete entry]

September 29, 2008, 07:53 CET

More allegations in murky political spying case

More recordings connected with a political scandal surrounding the so-called shadow secret service have emerged on the internet, according to press reports on Saturday.... [read complete entry]

September 29, 2008, 07:49 CET

MDF not to drift left, doesn't expect early elections, official says

Hungary's small conservative opposition party, the Democratic Forum (MDF), will stick to the centre-right ground, as any compromise move towards the left would go against the heritage of Hungary's first prime minister Jozsef Antall, a founder of the party, senior... [read complete entry]

September 29, 2008, 07:43 CET

Dávid re-elected as head of MDF following challenge by deputy

Incumbent Ibolya Dávid was returned as Democratic Forum chairwoman for the fifth consecutive time on Saturday, as 207 delegates voted for her as against 96 dissensions, at the party convention in Budapest. In total 303 valid ballots were cast by... [read complete entry]

September 26, 2008, 10:20 CET

Almássy claims MDF leadership bid blocked by "underworld" tactics

Recent Democratic Forum leadership candidate Kornél Almássy claimed yesterday that Forum leader Ibolya Dávid and her associates resorted to threats that were “reminiscent of the underworld” to force him to withdraw his nomination for the post of Forum leader two... [read complete entry]

September 23, 2008, 04:20 CET

Head of secret services accuses opposition members of involvement with spy firm

Two former secret services ministers of the Fidesz administration (1998-2002) were in regular contact with a security firm at the centre of spying allegations, secret services minister Gyorgy Szilvasy said on Tuesday.... [read complete entry]

September 19, 2008, 08:44 CET

Senior ministry officials thought to be targeted in spying case

Several senior Finance Ministry officials, including state secretary László Keller, were targeted by security company UD, Népszabadság reports. Keller was state secretary during the Medgyessy era, and investigated what he had thought to be suspicious cases from the Orbán administration.... [read complete entry]

September 15, 2008, 07:17 CET

Leadership challenge ends at MDF as Almássy backs Dávid

Kornel Almassy, who announced in August that he would challenge the leader of small conservative MDF Ibolya David for the top post, has withdrawn from the race, the party's deputy chairman Zoltan Hock said on Saturday.... [read complete entry]

September 11, 2008, 03:11 CET

Opposition parties build on strategy of not turning up

While the media continues to whip up a frenzy about the parlous state of the democracy and the ongoing campaign by various members of the opposition to dissolve parliament looks like going nowhere, it is all beginning to look... [read complete entry]

September 01, 2008, 09:29 CET

Senior Liberal says no chance for united opposition

Horn rules out common stand against minority government. [read complete entry]

August 25, 2008, 08:24 CET

SZDSZ, MDF warn Socialists over reform

Smaller parties say they are willing to let minority government fall if "foot-dragging" over tax reform isn't stopped. [read complete entry]

August 19, 2008, 01:19 CET

Democratic Forum starts chairperson nomination process

Ibolya Dávid will receive a challenge from MEP Péter Olajos. [read complete entry]

August 11, 2008, 08:49 CET

Leadership battle for head of MDF

Challenge by vice-chairman would be first contest for top spot in conservative party since 1999. [read complete entry]

July 31, 2008, 12:43 CET

Fidesz, MDF remain mired in acrimony

Newspaper says relations between Hungary's two leading conservative parties have not improved since acrimonious split before 2006 elections. [read complete entry]

May 06, 2008, 09:54 CET

Gyurcsány rules out confidence vote

Calling 2008 a year of "peaceful turnaround," PM rejects call to put his party's government to a vote by MPs. [read complete entry]

April 24, 2008, 10:13 CET

Latest poll: Socialist popularity slides even further

Support for the Socialist Party among eligible voters has dropped from 11% in January to 10% in April, a Századvég-Forsense poll found, while 32% of voters back Fidesz. Among decided party voters 69% would vote for Fidesz and 19% for... [read complete entry]

April 23, 2008, 12:06 CET

Respected British weekly's country of origin mystifies leaders of the right

Not one, but three ranking members of Hungary's opposition were uncertain as to the national origins of The Economist. [read complete entry]

April 14, 2008, 12:03 CET

MDF eager for instability of early election

Hungary's second-largest right-of-center party - the Hungarian Democratic Forum - has finally joined leading opposition block Fidesz in calling for early elections. According to an interview MDF deputy head Zoltán Hock gave state newswire MTI over the weekend, the party... [read complete entry]

March 28, 2008, 11:56 CET

National furor erupts in Hungary over publication of alleged anti-Semitic essay

Resident polemicist for conservative daily Magyar Hírlap sparks controversy with opinion piece accused of containing anti-Semitic remarks not seen since the Second World War. [read complete entry]

March 18, 2008, 09:32 CET

Parliament abolishes unpopular medical and tuition fees

Parliament voted Monday to abolish nominal medical fees and to ban tuition fees, as required by the outcome of the March 9 referendum. Accordingly, the two kinds of medical fees will be phased out from April 1, and tuition fees... [read complete entry]

March 07, 2008, 09:51 CET

Speaker bans media from Hungarian Parliament on referendum day

Speaker Katalin Szili yesterday barred journalists from entering the House on Sunday. Meanwhile, Democratic Forum chairwoman Ibolya Dávid said Forum MPs will be attending on Sunday to protest the referendum being used for political ends and “two individuals’ struggle for... [read complete entry]

March 04, 2008, 09:39 CET

Dávid suspects corruption at the economy and transport ministry

Suspicions are becoming ever stronger that the Economy and Transport Ministry is mixed up in the disreputable privatization of MÁV Cargo, Democratic Forum chairwoman Ibolya Dávid said in a contribution before regular business in Parliament Monday afternoon. Dávid demanded an... [read complete entry]

March 04, 2008, 08:23 CET

Poll shows Sólyom most popular politician, Orbán fourth

A new Szonda-Ipsos poll has revealed that president László Sólyom is still the most popular politician in Hungary, reports left of center daily Népszabadság. The president enjoys a favorable rating among 51% of the population, the only politician in the... [read complete entry]

February 26, 2008, 10:10 CET

Gyurcsány lays down schedule for new programs

Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány put bourgeoisation and the introduction of new political methods at the centre of his speech before regular business in Parliament Monday afternoon. He said debates on taxation reform and a new skills and ownership programme could... [read complete entry]

February 05, 2008, 10:37 CET

Popularity of State President Solyom reaches 50%

According to a Szonda Ipsos poll for Népszabadság the approval rating of László Solyom has reached 50%, making the state president comfortably the country's best-loved politician.... [read complete entry]

January 16, 2008, 11:00 CET

Poll: Hungarians wouldn't lend money to Gyurcsány - or Győzike

Hungarians think Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány is no more likely to repay a loan than Roma showman and tabloid clown Győző Gáspár, according to a recent study conducted by market information company TNS Hungary. Conductors of the study, which was... [read complete entry]

January 10, 2008, 02:15 CET

MDF leader proposes tough laws to curb corrupt party treasurers

MDF Chairwoman Ibolya Dávid has issued an angry open letter to party leaders demanding that party funding is more closely regulated. [read complete entry]