"Zoltán J. Gál, chief of staff to Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, offered his resignation yesterday, effective of late January, as he reportedly wants to spend more time with his family, and his newborn son in particular. The resignation was accepted by Gyurcsány, who has already nominated Gál’s successor, Agriculture Ministry undersecretary Ádám Ficsor, who will take the post on February 1.Napi Gazdaság says many suspect differences of opinion between Gál and Gyurcsány, as reportedly his work has of late been criticised, by the Socialist caucus and others. According to media reports he could return to politics as an adviser within two or three months. Gál was appointed political state secretary when the Gyurcsány cabinet took power in 2004, and held the post until June 8, 2006, after which he held the post of PMO state secretary from July 1, 2006. He was also Gyurcsány’s chief of staff for a year.
Gyurcsány wrote in his blog that he has enjoyed a longstanding and deep friendship with Gál and they are bound by a political alliance and neither of them will change, Népszabadság writes.
Several unidentified members of the Socialist caucus believe it is their personal success that Gál is leaving, adding that the prime minister has at last acknowledged the criticisms levelled at Gál and fired the man who was responsible for drafting political strategy, communication and for organising the prime minister’s schedule.
Gál’s leaving represents the departure of Gyurcsány’s top confidant. Reportedly Gyurcsány wants to carry out a reshuffle either before or after the Fidesz-initiated referendum. PMO leader for personnel Gábor Szetey may also be dismissed, Népszabadság speculates.
Ficsor, a 28-year-old bachelor, is reportedly one of Gyurcsány’s unconditional supporters and is expected to loyally push through the prime minister’s reforms. After completing secondary school studies at Sárospatak Calvinist College, he studied economics. Ficsor has been a leader of the Socialist Party Agrarian and Rural Policy Section since January 2003 and is also a member of the Progressive Section, which is strongly linked to Gyurcsány.
A member of the Socialist Party’s executive who spoke on condition of anonymity told Magyar Hírlap on Monday that: “Pressure had been on Gyurcsány from several directions for a long time.” Other influential Socialist politicians claimed that the “sacrificing” of Gyurcsány’s number one confidant constitutes an admission of defeat and the weakening of his position, the daily adds.
Gál has had a negative image both in the party and the caucus for a long time, an unnamed influential Socialist politician told right-wing daily Magyar Nemzet on Monday.
Gál also worked for the previous prime minister Péter Medgyessy, who dismissed him due to differences of political opinion."
Source: Hungary Around the Clock.
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22.01.2008