Fidesz Calls for Early Elections

Head of the parliamentary group of opposition Fidesz - Hungarian Civic Union, Mr Tibor Navracsics called for the dissolution of the parliament and early elections to avoid further deepening of the economic crisis in Hungary. He said the current recession was a consequence of the minority socialist cabinet's economic policy mismanagement and only a new government with a wide legitimacy could lead the country out of the crisis.

Created: 29th January, 2009 14:42	print	send

Following the meeting of the national presidency of Fidesz, Mr Navracsics held a press-conference to present the resolution of the party's decision-making organ. "The party's presidency has evaluated the past months of the cabinet's crisis-management and has come to the conclusion that the crisis of Hungary is unquestionably the consequence of the government's mistaken policies", declared Mr Navracsics. Haphazardness is what best describes the cabinet's policies, said the leader of the opposition party's parliamentary group, citing the self-contradictory statements of PM Gyurcsány (MSZP) concerning the possibility of major and radical tax-cuts. On 5th December, replying to the proposal of Fidesz, Mr Gyurcsány said there was no chance of cutting taxes in the upcoming two years whereas on 26th January, he claimed to be committed to reduce the tax-burden only to return to his previous position the next day by saying there was no room for such a radical change.

The government obviously cannot handle the economic crisis in Hungary, threatening with a 3% recession and a soaring state-debt. "Efficient crisis-management is needed in such a situation and this can only be brought about by a responsible government with a clear legitimacy based on the majority of the electorate. A cabinet that the people can rely on", said Mr Navracsics.

"The presidency of Fidesz - Hungarian Civic Union is convinced that new elections have to be held in Hungary on 7th June, on the day of the European Parliament's elections. The National Assembly thus has to be dissolved on 8th March and Fidesz, along with opposition Christian Democratic People's Party, will present its proposal at the parliament's extraordinary session on 29th January", he added, calling upon socialist (MSZP), liberal (SZDSZ) and centrist (MDF) MPs to vote for the proposal.

The dissolution of the parliament by 8th March could allow President László Sólyom to set the date of the general parliamentary elections to coincide with the European elections on 7th June.

(www.fidesz.hu)