Hungary needs a national unity government with wide public support rather than early elections, Ildiko Lendvai, parliamentary leader of the minority governing Socialist Party, told public television on Monday.

Lendvai said that forming a new government through early elections would take about five months -- too long given the current economic crisis.

Government positions should be filled by technocrats who are selected on their professional merits rather than on the basis of political affiliation, she said.

"We want a government with more tools to implement radical steps, maintaining the measures taken so far," she said. Lendvai mentioned the importance of further spending cuts and of structural reforms.

"It is not a puppet we are seeking but a new prime minister who has support both within and outside [the Socialist Party]," Lendvai said.

Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany, who was reelected as Socialist party leader, at the weekend announced his decision to relinquish his job as prime minister in place of a successor, who has yet to be chosen.