“The Free Democrats are not in a position, nor is it their intention, to blackmail the Socialist Party,” chairman of the liberal party Gábor Fodor told ATV station Wednesday evening.
He said the process of nominating an individual for the post of prime minister “is not a game that is over”, and the Socialists have lined up a list of “respectable” names.
Fodor described Surányi as having a coherent economic view with an international perspective, and is therefore the right choice for the Free Democrats. However he added that if no one is found who gains a consensus, the only proper solution will be to hold early elections, which will result in six months with no work “and this is not advantageous in the present economic situation”.
In connection with President Sólyom’s statement, Fodor did not condemn the president but disagreed with his call for early elections. Fodor did not answer as to what his party would decide if the Socialists nominate someone other than Surányi.
When asked whether an agreement on a candidate for prime minister should be reached by Thursday, Fodor said the deadline applied to a candidate acceptable to both parties being found. “Surányi is acceptable to both parties. Now the task has been fulfilled and no date for a new negotiating round has been set,” he explained.
The Free Democrats are now thinking of nominating Horn-era finance minister Lajos Bokros who, however, could not be supported by a certain section of the Socialist caucus, Magyar Hírlap writes.
