You can forgive the centrist wing of Fidesz for feeling a bit exuberant, since as an MTI piece over at index.hu reported earlier today, MP Mária Wittner has said she will not run for reelection, regardless of whether or not the next elections are early. Wittner, initially known for being a freedom fighter from 1956 who was pardoned after being sentenced to death, has in recent times been known more for her affiliation with far-right party Jobbik and their paramilitary organization the Hungarian Guard. Instead of being that all-important link to 1956 that Fidesz originally sought, she has, in many ways, become an embarrassment for the party because of her appearances at far-right rallies.
In her interview with government-friendly daily Népszabadság, Wittner claimed that no-one in Fidesz, including chairman Viktor Orbán, criticized her for showing up at Hungarian Guard events. (Fidesz parliamentary faction leader Tibor Navracsics last fall indirectly made it clear that he was less than pleased with her choice of public speaking engagements.) Wittner continued that she would not be switching party allegiances, as it is not a desire to leave Fidesz but a desire to no longer be a parliamentarian that resulted in her decision. Whatever lay in the background to her future plans, the centrists at Fidesz are no doubt breathing a sigh of relief.
