Hungary’s embattled liberal party is in talks with the small conservative Democratic Forum on possible cooperation in the upcoming general election, people close to the negotiations told MTI on Thursday.
The liberal Free Democrats, which once formed a coalition with the now minority governing Socialist Party, is in a state of disarray and polls only around 1 percent of the electorate. But traditionally it has had a strong voter base, which the Democratic Forum – also below the five percent threshold for seats in Parliament – wants to appeal to.
Current polling data suggests that conservative party Fidesz will win a landslide with radical nationalist Jobbik and the Socialist Party vying for the rest of Parliament’s seats. The Democratic Forum hopes to win enough seats to renew its mandate and provide a bulwark against populism and radicalism.
The conservative party’s star and prime-minister candidate, Lajos Bokros, has outlined a programme which appeals to economic liberals. Bokros was the finance minister under the Socialist-Liberal government of the mid-nineties, and his austerity package is credited with having dug Hungary out of its economic hole at the time.
The leadership of the two small parties are to meet on Thursday to continue negotiations, people close to the matter told MTI on condition of anonymity.
MDF? Conservative? Who are you kidding?
I’m gonna end supporting the Greens, how embarassing is that.
@Sophist: Why support anyone? Voting is a cop-out!
I remember a similar coalition in the UK a long time ago. The party called themselves the LibDems
or Social Democrats or some such bland title. I think there were two leaders of the alliance – David Owen and David Steel.
Anyway, it was short-lived, and “bombed”.
A damp squib in effect: phut, phut, kaput!
Voting. I just don’t know.
Perhaps just put your monika/X alongside the candidate that you think will do the least damage to the economy and the country?
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was a political party of the United Kingdom that existed nationwide between 1981 and 1988
For the 1983 and 1987 General Elections, the SDP joined the Liberal Party in the SDP-Liberal Alliance.
SDP merged with the Liberal Party in 1988 to form the Liberal Democrats, although a minority left to form a continuing SDP.
The Liberal Democrats have 63 Members of Parliament today.
So, they are still there.
For some reason Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE is the famous LibDem rep for me.
What do you say about a person who:
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During the retreat to Dunkirk in May 1940, John Ashdown ignored an order to abandon the Indian troops under his command, instead leading them to the port and onto one of the last ships to leave, without losing a single man. Although court martialed for disobeying orders, he was exonerated, and by the end of the War had risen to the rank of colonel.
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A man of his words and who acted after it.
Yes Viking, in the UK as in Germany the Liberals are a strong third force. Of course in Germany we have the Greens and the (New) Left (ex-communists) also.
BTW there is an and intelligent English Liberal Blog here:
http://liberalengland.blogspot.com/
Though I must say I’m a bit prejudiced because this guy also is a big fan of old Blues and Rock music – we seem to like the same groups and artists.
Thin Lizzy: Whiskey in the Jar
can never be wrong.
Seems to be a funny place, thanks!
Thanks Viking. I remember Jeremy Thorpe leader of the Liberal Party before David Steel.
He was caught with his “pants down” so to speak.
That is to say that he was a homosexual who had an affair with a “working man” who he later tried to have murdered to stop him from talking to the press about the matter.
Men of Honour and those true to their word? They just don’t exist anymore. And, unfortunately for us all: in public life they don’t exist at all.
Moreover, they tend to be self-motivated scoundrels.
Hungarians know the type only too well.
PS.
Wolfi. I like old rock bands and blues etc.
Be in touch over on realdeal later tomorrow.