The Socialist Party will kick off its referendum campaign today with a view to reducing the number of Yes votes in the referendum on abolishing medical and tuition fees, deputy chairman Ferenc Juhász announced on Thursday. Juhász said about Ft 200 million will be spent in an effort to persuade voters of the merits of the fees.

He made it clear his party does not consider the referendum an election, and does not believe that it can unseat a government.

The campaign will mostly focus on questions related to the health reform in advertisements, information leaflets and telephone conversations. The campaign will also have a website and a toll-free information line.

Fidesz campaign director István Tarlós said "this is not a conflict between the Socialist Party and Fidesz, but between society and the Gyurcsány cabinet."