The alliance of the Free Democrats and the Democratic Forum forms a "democratic centre" which could win 10% of votes in the parliamentary elections, Free Democrat chairman Attila Retkes told Népszabadság on Monday.

The party is also holding talks with the Centrum Party, the Respect Society and other groups, he said, adding that the task for this week is to see whether those interested in establishing a democratic centre can find good candidates in the 176 individual constituencies or whether they will run separately.

The issue of fielding joint lists will only be opened following talks on individual constituencies, Retkes said.

However, Forum chairwoman Ibolya Dávid said her party is ready to hold talks only with parties that support Lajos Bokros and his platform. The candidates will run on the Forum's own list, she said.

Other unnamed Forum politicians say a joint list is out of the question as it is obvious that Free Democrat politicians will be part of the Forum list.

The Forum and the Free Democrats are simply trying to collect under different names enough votes to lift them over the 5% parliamentary threshold, Socialist prime ministerial candidate Attila Mesterházy told ATV Monday evening. He said anyone who does not vote for the Socialists votes for Fidesz.