President Sólyom Sets March 9 As Referendum Date

His office said the president had opted for the early date as he does not want to delay the referendum process, already extended due to legal objections filed with the court and the National Election Commission (OVB). Fidesz chairman Viktor Orbán announced that he was initiating a referendum at a Fidesz rally at Astoria on October 23, 2006.

The referendum involves some Ft 54 billion, as Ft 37 billion is expected from college and university tuition fees, while daily hospital and visiting fees could generate Ft 17 billion this year, Napi Gazdaság says.

The opposition parties welcomed the decision. Fidesz chairman Viktor Orbán told Magyar Hírlap that “the shame of Hungarian democracy is that nearly two decades after the change of regime, we had to fight for more than a year to assert a constitutional right.” Orbán is preparing to challenge Gyurcsány to hold a televised debate after the referendum, Népszava writes. Attila Várhegyi, who was formerly administrative director, has returned to Fidesz to take charge of the referendum campaign, the daily adds.

Fidesz deputy chairman Zoltán Pokorni told reporters that a successful referendum “could mark a new political era, and have a strong bearing on the future of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány.”

Socialist Party spokesman István Nyakó said “any date is good for the party to expound its position.”

Free Democrat campaign leader Gábor Horn deemed the date too early, adding that the opposition has campaigned for 18 months, while the Free Democrats will have only 1.5 months to persuade potential voters to vote against it. “Rational argument supports the March 9 date,” Horn conceded, however.

Christian Democrat spokeswoman Zsuzsa Halász said the nation “could already be over the referendum if the OVB and linguist László Kálmán had not resorted to all means to thwart the referendum on political orders.”

Forum MP Miklós Csapody said “the Forum is pleased with the short campaign but will not take part in it as it considers referendums as justified on affairs of great importance, a category that does not include tuition, daily hospital and visiting fees.

Government spokesman Dávid Daróczi said the government has set aside Ft 4.5 billion necessary for referendum costs, adding that no gamble is involved and the referendum questions do not affect the essence of reforms and will not result in what the opposition hopes, as parliamentary elections will next be held in 2010. Orbán last year described the referendum as early elections Népszabadság notes.

OVB leader Emília Rytkó said the government “has made adequate preparations,” adding that “voters will receive information on polling stations before February 22.” Those living abroad must apply for a permit before February 22 to ensure that they will be able to vote at the relevant embassies."

Source: Hungary Around the Clock.

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