Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany is the least popular official of his minority Socialist government, according to a Nezopont Institute poll.
The poll, to be published in Thursday’s Heti Valasz, indicates that farm minister Jozsef Graf is the most popular government member with 57 percent support. Prime Minister Gyurcsany received only 30 percent support.
Ministers such as Graf who concentrate on professional areas instead of getting involved in party politics are more liked. Foreign Minister Kinga Goncz, Defence Minister Imre Szekeres and Health Minister Tamas Szekely belong to this group.
Near the bottom of the popularity list, with 30 to 40 percent support, are the ministers of social affairs and finance, who were active in communicating austerity measures at the beginning of the year.
Only 41 percent of people said Economy Minister Gordon Bajnai should remain in his post.
The fact that 70 percent of people are calling for a new prime minister, and that several of his ministers are relatively popular, indicates that the governing Socialist party may benefit from replacing Gyurcsany, said Nezopont.
The poll also shows that 51 percent of people believe Hungary’s European Union membership is beneficial but 35 percent said it was a disadvantage. Among Fidesz supporters, the proportion of those who believe EU membership is disadvantegous to Hungary is 40 percent.
