Lajos Bokros, finance minister in Gyula Horn’s socialist-liberal government in 1995-1996, is prepared to head the conservative opposition Democratic Forum’s list in this year’s European parliamentary elections, party leader Ibolya David said after the Saturday session of her party’s national board.
An economic reformer, Bokros is famed for his eponymous austerity package, which successfully dug Hungary out of its economic hole in the mid-nineties.
Bokros’ nomination has triggered sharp disputes within the party over the past few weeks.
The list was approved by 48 votes for and 44 against, senior party official Miklos Thaisz said.
Peter Olajos, the Forum’s single representative in the European Parliament since 2004, announced his withdrawal from the party after the session.
