The Constitutional Court on Tuesday rejected individual-submitted objections to the December 17 parliamentary resolution ordering a Fidesz-Christian Democrat initiated referendum on banning visit, daily hospital and tuition fees, thus removing the referendum's final obstacle.

Once the ruling is published in Magyar Közlöny (Hungarian Gazette), either today or Thursday, President László Sólyom will have 15 days to set a date for the referendum, which could be held between March 9 and April 20. President's Office head of department Ferenc Kumin told Magyar Hírlap that the president will make his decision on a referendum date without any unfounded delay, once the court ruling is published.

Fidesz and the Christian Democrats initiated the referendum in the autumn of 2006 and were able to start collecting signatures in a petition drive last October.

The ruling means, according to Népszabadság, that a question on banning the privatisation of health care funds cannot now be added to the Fidesz-initiated referendum. Fidesz referendum political campaign leader István Tarlós on Tuesday signed the petition sheet for a referendum to prevent the establishment of a multi-player health insurance system, which was initiated separately by a married couple.

Fidesz says the referendum date will be either March 30 or April 6. The March 30 date is symbolic as Fidesz will then mark its 20th anniversary. Fidesz spokesman Péter Szíjjártó told Magyar Hírlap that "ordinary people have scored a victory with this decision, as they will have the right and an opportunity to express an opinion on their own future, and that of the nation."

Following an informal caucus meeting, Socialist Party campaign leader Ferenc Juhász said his party's goal is to thwart Fidesz' objective to disrupt the health care and education system. Kossuth Rádió also quoted Juhász as saying that his party will honour the court ruling.