The Socialist Party national council was united in support for Gordon Bajnai becoming Hungary’s next prime minister yesterday.
“All 120 MPs who attended the party caucus meeting on Thursday night pledged to sign Bajnai’s political statement prior to the convention,” deputy caucus leader Tibor Kovács announced.
The weekend party convention will vote on Bajnai, not his platform, on Sunday, national council leader Gábor Simon said.
The Socialists’ national council also unanimously nominated caucus leader Ildikó Lendvai for the post of party chairwoman, the state news agency MTI confirmed. Lendvai explained that Péter Kiss, Attila Mesterházy and Imre Szekeres all stepped aside to clear the way for her candidacy.
The incumbent part caucus leader said she accepted nomination on the condition that co-operation within the party leadership strengthens, and the convention accordingly establishes a three-person executive committee comprising herself, Kiss and Szekeres.
Lendvai added that she will give up her caucus leader’s post if elected party chairwoman, and proposed that Mesterházy replace her, saying “the young generation must also be represented in the party leadership.”
Outgoing party chairman Ferenc Gyurcsány will run the Táncsics Foundation “as the Hungarian left wing greatly needs him”, Lendvai revealed.
