So far, 15 of the 19 Free Democrat MPs have signed the political statement of intent supporting prime ministerial candidate Gordon Bajnai. The four who did not sign are Gabriella Béki, József Gulyás, Gábor Velkey, who did not support Bajnai at the party’s weekend meetings, as well as Lajos Molnár, health minister in 2006-07.
It is in the interest of the country to see a stable cabinet that enjoys public trust at least at the start and the Free Democrats ought to have discussed a date for early elections, Gulyás told the party’s national council meeting on Sunday.
By supporting Bajnai, the liberal party’s chances of crossing the 5% threshold at the European parliamentary elections has radically decreased, he argued. Gulyás believes that the Socialists and the Free Democrats will suffer a bigger election defeat in 2010 than if early elections were held.
Bajnai has said he will only serve as prime minister if he can line up a majority of MPs to support his platform. The vast majority of Socialist MPs have signed the statement.
Free Democrat chairman Gábor Fodor said in an apparent climb-down Monday that his party does not demand that all cabinet members must go.
