There is serious internal tension in Hungary’s junior governing party, the liberal SZDSZ, as a result of party chief and Economy Minister János Kóka and leading member Gábor Horn making decisions without prior discussions, an unidentified party member told FigyelőNet.
The liberal politican said: “Horn releases improper statements. For exaple, his statement about our possible co-operation with [conservative opposition party] Fidesz was very embarrassing. I also do not agree with the statement that SZDSZ has its 5% libral base anyway. We cannot communite towards voters that you will vote for us anyway. But if someone said this openly, he would be said to be going against thy SZDSZ.”
The politician also said that leading member and Environment Minister Gábor Fodor could solve the problems, but he has “reconciled” with Kóka being the leader. “He is happy being a minister, so I doubt he would do anything,” the politician told the portal, adding that Budapest Mayor Gábor Demszky is also supported by many liberals, but he would be afraid to take a step until decisions are made on the amount of financial support provided to the city.
Kóka has announced plans to leave his post as Economy Minister by the end of the year, and according to FigyelőNet’s source his successor could be his current chief of staff, Csaba Kákosy, or Personnel State Secretary Gábor Szetey.
