ildiko lendvai
March 10, 2010, 09:40 CET
Parties discuss how to capture liberal voters
Representatives of four Hungarian political parties met in Budapest on Tuesday to hold a debate on how to capture the vote potential left behind with the fragmentation of the liberal Free Democrats. Party leader Ildiko Lendvai for the governing Socialists,... [read complete entry]
March 08, 2010, 10:30 CET
Socialist party suspends membership of Budapest official suspected of graft
Hungary's governing Socialist party has suspended the party membership of Miklos Hagyo, a former representative in the Budapest municipal council who is suspected of taking kick-backs. The politician, who was until recently the second highest-ranking member of the municipal body,... [read complete entry]
February 26, 2010, 09:50 CET
Socialists to boycott MTV talk show
Socialist leader Ildikó Lendvai has asked MTV to remove Magyar Hírlap deputy editor László Zöldi Szentesi from the morning programme "Ma Reggel," of which he is a co-host, the newspaper reports. Szentesi commented in Magyar Hírlap recently that anyone who... [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 25, 2010, 09:02 CET
Sólyom sets elections for April 11, 25
The two rounds of the parliamentary elections will be held on April 11 and 25, President László Sólyom announced on Friday, thereby kicking off the election campaign. Socialist chairwoman Ildikó Lendvai welcomed the announcement, saying it is good news for... [read complete entry]
January 20, 2010, 09:13 CET
Fidesz to send letter to pensioners about promises, dangers
Fidesz announced on Tuesday it will mail letters to pensioners outlining its promises affecting them. The party has recently denied that it would adjust the current pension regime after its former finance minister Mihály Varga spoke in an interview with... [read complete entry]
January 11, 2010, 12:01 CET
Socialist campaign to focus on responsibility, party head says
The Socialists will run their campaign for the spring elections under the slogan of "response and responsibility", focusing on the party's programme, the party's head told MTI in an interview on Friday. As a "serving party" the Socialists want to... [read complete entry]
December 23, 2009, 09:42 CET
Socialist leader calls 2009 year of economic housecleaning
Hungarian Socialist Party leader Ildiko Lendvai has called 2009 a year of successful house-cleaning in the economy, and 2010 a year of responsible decision. The government has managed "to remove all skeletons from the cupboard", and compiled a transparent budget... [read complete entry]
December 16, 2009, 10:34 CET
Mesterhházy to take over MSZP election campaign from Lendvai
Attila Mesterhazy, who was elected as the Socialist Party's prime-minister candidate at the weekend, will take over the running of the election committee from party leader Ildiko Lendvai, the Socialists' spokesman told MTI on Tuesday. Mesterhazy, 35, will organise an... [read complete entry]
December 14, 2009, 10:24 CET
Mesterházy officially chosen as Socialists' candidate for PM
The Socialist Party convention elected caucus leader Attila Mesterházy as the party's prime ministerial candidate with a 90% majority, and the party national list with a 70% majority on Saturday. "The Socialist Party is preparing for a frank, intense and... [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, 10:55 CET
Socialists elect Mesterházy as prime ministerial candidate
The Socialist Party elected Attila Mesterházy as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2010 election at a closed meeting on Saturday. Chairwoman Ildikó Lendvai presented Mesterházy as “a man for the future, with whom the left can build for the... [read complete entry]
November 23, 2009, 09:08 CET
Socialists rule out early election for state president
The ruling Socialist Party is not planning to bring forward Hungary's presidential election due next year, party chair Ildiko Lendvai told MTI on Friday. Lendvai referred to earlier allegations in conservative papers that Socialist deputies might make an attempt to... [read complete entry]
November 23, 2009, 08:32 CET
Police face off against Magyar Gárda at memorial march for interwar leader
A march organised by the far-right Jobbik party marking the 90th anniversary of the procession of Regent Miklós Horthy into Budapest took place in the 11th District on Sunday. Police prevented units of the outlawed Magyar Gárda from following the... [read complete entry]
November 10, 2009, 02:00 CET
Socialist Party to square off with District VII Socialists over jailbird mayor’s pay
Last Friday, the Socialists in Budapest’s District VII voted down a Fidesz-sponsored measure to revoke District Mayor György Hunvald's salary, who is currently under arrest for a slew of corruption charges. Later that day, index.hu reported that the Justice Ministry... [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 15, 2009, 11:15 CET
Socialists call for "correction" rather than "system change"
The ruling Socialist Party (MSZP) will devise a programme for the years to follow economic recovery and calls for correcting the prevailing models rather than changing the system, party leader Ildiko Lendvai told reporters in Budapest on Wednesday, outlining her... [read complete entry]
October 14, 2009, 09:59 CET
Budapest Socialists sever coalition with Liberals over business deals
The Socialist Party decided on Tuesday to dissolve the coalition on Budapest city council with the Free Democrats and recall its deputy mayors, after the liberals voted against a Socialist proposal to publish online all contracts worth over Ft 5... [read complete entry]
October 14, 2009, 09:23 CET
Socialists considing five candidates for Hungary's EU commissioner
The national board of the ruling Socialist party is to put forward a list of five possible candidates to represent Hungary in the European Commission, the party's leader Ildiko Lendvai told MTI on Tuesday. Lendvai said the party recommended to... [read complete entry]
October 08, 2009, 11:32 CET
Bajnai says Socialists to eventually benefit from unpopular economic measures
Bajnai says Socialists to eventually benefit from unpopular economic measures In the short term the government's anti-crisis measures may make the Socialist Party unpopular, but they will increase the party's credibility, Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai said in Budapest on Wednesday.... [read complete entry]
September 28, 2009, 10:33 CET
Socialist leader says Bajnai should be party's candidate in next election
The Socialist party wants to nominate Gordon Bajnai as its candidate for prime minister in the spring 2010 elections, the party's leader Ildiko Lendvai said in an interview to Monday's Nepszabadsag. It would be "evidence of the Socialist Party's incapacity"... [read complete entry]
August 05, 2009, 09:45 CET
MSZP chair says party to name candidate for PM by end of year
Hungary's minority ruling Socialist party expects to be able to name a prime ministerial candidate at a congress to be held either at the end of November or the start of December, the party's leader Ildiko Lendvai said in a... [read complete entry]
August 04, 2009, 10:49 CET
MSZP chair downplays party's plunging popularity
"We made a good decision in the country's interests and, I hope, also in those of the party," Socialist Party chairwoman Ildikó Lendvai told Inforádió on Monday in answer to a question about her party's significant drop in popularity since... [read complete entry]
July 20, 2009, 11:45 CET
Socialist leader warns Orbán to halt comments on economy
Socialist Party chairwoman Ildikó Lendvai on Sunday urged Fidesz chairman Viktor Orbán not to make economic statements "for at least a few weeks, because if he cannot or does not want to improve things, he should not do any wrong... [read complete entry]
July 09, 2009, 10:06 CET
Socialists chair says party in race against time, but vows to keep course
The ruling Socialists are racing against time so as to present their renewed programme and endeavours to the public until the next general elections, leader of the party (MSZP), Ildiko Lendvai told MTI on Wednesday. Asked if the time available... [read complete entry]
July 08, 2009, 09:44 CET
Socialist leader says Fidesz raising Hungary's international risk profile
The main opposition Fidesz party's policies have become an "element of risk" in Hungary's international assessment, head of the governing Socialist party Ildiko Lendvai said in a statement on Tuesday. Lendvai referred to credit rating institute Standard and Poor's, stating... [read complete entry]
July 08, 2009, 09:27 CET
Szili steps up criticism of Socialists
Socialist leader Ildikó Lendvai will meet Speaker Katalin Szili in the next few days to discuss Szili's role in the party's preparations for the next parliamentary elections. Szili, who will resign her post in September, told MTV talk show "Nap-kelte"... [read complete entry]
July 06, 2009, 10:20 CET
MSZP holds congress as party tries to recover from EP election disaster
Hungary's ruling Socialist party went back to the drawing board at a congress on Saturday to make plans for bouncing back after a serious June European election defeat to the main opposition Fidesz party. The agenda included assessment of the... [read complete entry]
July 03, 2009, 09:48 CET
Fidesz deputy head says Socialist chair can "go to hell"
"Let her go to hell. How dare she?" Fidesz deputy chairman Zoltán Pokorni said in an interview with ATV television station on Thursday morning. Pokorni was responding to a statement made by Socialist Party chairwoman Ildikó Lendvai that Fidesz chairman... [read complete entry]
June 26, 2009, 12:32 CET
Lendvai: MSZP still not in favor of early elections
The ruling Socialist Party (MSZP) opposes holding the next parliamentary elections earlier than next spring, party leader Ildiko Lendvai told public television M1 on Friday. "There won't be early elections because we don't want that and we have a majority... [read complete entry]
June 26, 2009, 12:30 CET
Szili says Socialist Party needs "soul searching" before renewal
The Socialist Party's key task at the July 4 party convention will be to confront the policy line it has pursued in the last week and over the past 20 years, Speaker Katalin Szili told the state news agency MTI... [read complete entry]
June 25, 2009, 10:06 CET
Socialists, Jobbik tied in new poll; first dip below 10% for MSZP
Support for the Socialists is 9% among decided voters, the same as for the far-right Jobbik, according to a Nézőpont Institute poll conducted for Heti Válasz. This is the first time that Socialist support has ever polled below 10%, the... [read complete entry]
June 24, 2009, 09:49 CET
Socialist insurgents put pressure on old guard; demand vote on leadership
The young pretenders, in an attempt to oust the old guard of the embattled ruling Socialist Party, are insisting on pursuing a vote of no confidence in the current leadership, having rejected a compromise deal proposed by stalwarts of the... [read complete entry]
June 22, 2009, 11:08 CET
Szeged mayor tipped as potential PM-candidate for Socialists
Laszlo Botka, mayor of Szeged and chief coordinator of the Socialist Party's preparations for the general elections, has the best chance to become the party's prime minister-candidate, daily Magyar Nemzet said on Monday. Parliamentary group leader Attila Mesterhazy may succeed... [read complete entry]
June 22, 2009, 09:44 CET
Socialist chairwoman says party needs new face for PM
The Socialist Party needs a new, young prime ministerial candidate who is capable of regaining the trust of voters, party chairwoman Ildikó Lendvai told a press conference on Sunday. She said the July 4 party convention should debate an action... [read complete entry]
June 09, 2009, 09:20 CET
Socialist leader downplays Fidesz victory; underscores Jobbik links
The 1,600,000 votes obtained by Fidesz at Sunday's elections are many, but not enough, as Fidesz failed to convince its own supporters that the election was about a change of government, Socialist leader Ildikó Lendvai told Parliament on Monday afternoon.... [read complete entry]
May 22, 2009, 09:41 CET
Socialist party chair defends decision to remain in power
"It was worth taking on the responsibility of managing the crisis, as it serves Hungary's interests, and the first results are already tangible, Socialist Party chairwoman Ildikó Lendvai told reporters in Veszprém on Thursday. "The first results of the crisis... [read complete entry]
April 21, 2009, 10:06 CET
Minister initiates bill to criminalize Holocaust denial
Education and Culture Minister István Hiller initiated legislation that would criminalise Holocaust denial in Parliament on Monday.... [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, 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, 09:47 CET
Three candidates to vie for top MSZP post
"The Socialist Party will have three main candidates for the post of party chairman at Sunday's convention; Péter Kiss, Ildikó Lendvai and Imre Szekeres," deputy chairwoman Mónika Lamperth announced after an executive committee meeting 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]
March 26, 2009, 08:43 CET
Hungarian president backs early elections, draws criticism
Only early elections can give Hungary a chance to have a stable government with broad authorisation, President Laszlo Solyom said in an interview with public television on Wednesday.... [read complete entry]
March 25, 2009, 09:31 CET
SZDSZ backs György Surányi for PM
The liberal Free Democrats party would support former Central Bank governor Gyorgy Suranyi as prime minister candidate, party head Gabor Fodor told state radio 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, 10:40 CET
MSZP begins search for new PM outside party ranks
Hungary's governing Socialist party's parliamentary group on Monday started the process of seeking a new prime minister and decided to look outside the party's own ranks, group leader Ildiko Lendvai told journalists.... [read complete entry]
March 23, 2009, 09:40 CET
Socialists' parliamentary group leader calls for national unity government
Hungary needs a national unity government with wide public support rather than early elections, Ildiko Lendvai, parliamentary leader of the minority governing Socialist Party, told public television on Monday.... [read complete entry]
March 06, 2009, 12:46 CET
Szekeres not to challenge Gyurcsány for Socialist party chairmanship
Defense minister Imre Szekeres has announced he will not challenge Socialist Party chairman Ferenc Gyurcsány at the upcoming party congress, fn.hu reports. Szekeres was nominated by the Socialist Party's Nográd County grouping to stand alongside Gyurcsány and Socialist parliamentary faction... [read complete entry]
January 19, 2009, 10:30 CET
Gyurcsány promises "both sweet and bitter pills"
The answers to be given in response to the global economic crisis will contain both sweet and bitter pills, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány told reporters before briefing the Socialist caucus on Friday. Only 40-50 MPs were present, according to Népszabadság,... [read complete entry]
November 28, 2008, 10:39 CET
Socialists to suffer following budget passage, parliamentary leader says
The governing Socialists are to face a tough period of crisis prevention and reforms, the party's parliamentary group leader Ildiko Lendvai told MTI on Friday.... [read complete entry]
November 13, 2008, 08:13 CET
MSZP, MDF propose tax on reimbursements paid to MPs
The governing Socialist Party (MSZP) and the minor opposition party Democratic Forum (MDF) would both impose taxes on benefits, such as reimbursement of travel and housing costs, paid to MPs, although they disagree on how this should be done, writes... [read complete entry]
October 13, 2008, 09:50 CET
Socialist congress backs PM's action package, calls for national summit
Hungary's governing Socialist Party supported Prime Minister and party chair Ferenc Gyurcsany's call for a national summit and his 12-point action package to combat the risks of the global financial crisis at its Saturday extraordinary meeting.... [read complete entry]
October 06, 2008, 09:03 CET
Lendvai: Budget last hurdle for smooth government until 2010
The Socialist party is ready to face tough negotiations with its former coalition partner, the liberal Free Democrats, ahead of the vote on next year's budget, which is the last hurdle the minority government has to get past, Socialist group... [read complete entry]
September 23, 2008, 09:35 CET
Free Democrats and Socialists meeting today for talks
Top-level delegations from the Socialist Party and the Free Democrats will meet for a second session of talks today. The first round was held two weeks ago.... [read complete entry]
September 09, 2008, 07:43 CET
Socialists will not haggle over PM spot, parliamentary leader says
The Socialist party's parliamentary group will not haggle over the person of the prime minister with the liberal opposition Free Democrats, instead of debating the government's programme, the Socialists' parliamentary group leader said after a meeting on Monday.... [read complete entry]
September 01, 2008, 08:41 CET
Liberals reject Gyurcsány's economic plan
SZDSZ chair Fodor says tax-cut program is aimed not at the survival of the country but at the survival of the PM. [read complete entry]
July 21, 2008, 01:43 CET
Lendvai challenges Orbán's speech in Transylvania
The Socialist parliamentary faction leader was quick to refute Orbán's call for national unity. [read complete entry]
July 07, 2008, 12:56 CET
Politicians condemn Saturday's disturbances to the Gay Pride March
The prime minister talks of starting a Magyar Charta in opposition to extremism as the parties weigh in over Saturday's disturbances. [read complete entry]
April 30, 2008, 12:28 CET
Ex-labor minister, print shops big winners in government shakeup
This week's cabinet shakeup will not only mean new names at some ministries. It will also mean new bills for Hungary's hard-hit state treasury. According to tabloid Blikk, the reshuffle will cost tens of millions of forints in moving, the... [read complete entry]
April 10, 2008, 11:51 CET
Referendum on health care unlikely to be held this year
Backers of a new referendum which seeks to prevent the influx of private capital into Hungary's state administered healthcare system plan to submit the signatures they gathered later this week. [read complete entry]
April 09, 2008, 11:16 CET
Socialists count on opposition support for new, privatization-free health bill
Ildikó Lendvai, caucus leader of governing party MSZP has told HírTV that the party hopes to pass a modified health care privatization law even as a minority government by garnering the support of the opposition.... [read complete entry]
April 08, 2008, 11:40 CET
Liberal ministers reportedly reconsidering resignations
Following the announcement that the party will leave the governing coalition last week, press rumors have emerged that the SZDSZ ministers, led by environment minister Gábor Fodor, are having second thoughts. [read complete entry]
April 04, 2008, 10:21 CET
Gyurcsány: no chance of keeping the coalition together
Prime Minister Gyurcsány stated that he does not see the coalition staying together during this election cycle, while Socialist Party faction leader Ildikó Lendvai ruled out a grand coalition with Fidesz. [read complete entry]
March 12, 2008, 09:45 CET
MPs debate referendum fallout as Orbán promises "open arms" approach
As the fallout from Sunday's crushing referendum defeat for the government continues, opposition leader Viktor Orbán has pledged to continue a less combative strategy towards the government to keep the new voters attracted by the referendum. [read complete entry]
February 11, 2008, 11:45 CET
Extremists in coordinated attacks on Socialist MPs' homes
As-yet unknown group calling itself the "Hungarian Arrows National Liberation Army" claims responsibility for throwing Molotov cocktails at five locations around Hungary on Friday. [read complete entry]
February 06, 2008, 09:48 CET
Two Socialist MPs to defy party whip over health care bill
Socialist MPs József Karsai and Imre Farkas said yesterday that they will not vote in favour of the amended health care bill in Parliament next Monday. "I will vote against the bill and face the music," declared Karsai, mayor of... [read complete entry]
December 13, 2007, 10:03 CET
Parliament should postpone health reform vote, Speaker says
Parliamentary Speaker Katalin Szili has suggested postponing the vote on the health insurance reform scheduled for Monday, December 17, until February, writes news portal Ma.hu, based on a report by state news wire MTI.... [read complete entry]
December 06, 2007, 09:30 CET
Former Socialist official requests third deferment of prison term
The former campaign chief of Socialist faction leader Ildikó Lendvai, convicted for accepting a bribe, has sent a request to the Budapest Court (FB) for the third time to ask for his prison term to be deferred, writes Hírtv.hu, based... [read complete entry]
November 29, 2007, 11:59 CET
Is Katalin Szili's dissent a silly farce, or a genuine revolt in the making?
Katalin Szili's increasingly vocal criticisms of her party have raised the question of whether this is merely the airing of differences or the the beginnings of a power struggle within the Socialist Party.
[read complete entry]
November 27, 2007, 09:49 CET
Parliament rejects bill on MP gender parity
Parliament has voted against a bill that would have required a minimum numbers of female MPs be elected in each cycle. [read complete entry]
November 13, 2007, 12:56 CET
Liberals may hold January congress to decide fate of coalition
Liberals to discuss leaving governing coalition; Socialist faction leader downplays political "scripts" [read complete entry]
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