"Unless a political miracle happens, the current government coalition will break up at the end of April and the Socialist Party (MSZP) will form a minority government, politicians of the MSZP and the liberal Free Democrats have announced on Tuesday after “peace talks".Following the talks, Socialist faction leader Ildikó Lendvai said that unless the situation changes, the MSZP will form a minority government, with Ferenc Gyurcsány remaining the Prime Minister, InfoRádió has reported.
Lendvai said the SZDSZ promised to support the fulfilment of the convergence programme, the reforms and the necessary structural reshuffle from outside the coalition.
She emphasised they were not preparing to replace the PM and that there would be no vote of confidence either.
Péter Gusztos, deputy faction leader of the SZDSZ said his party was preparing to take up the role of a loyal opposition.
PM Gyurcsány announced on Monday the firing of the liberals' Health Minister Ágnes Horváth effective 30 April. In response, the SZDSZ said they would withdraw their ministers also on this day.
Gusztos added it made no difference that Minister of the Environment, Gábor Fodor and his secretary of state, Kálmán Kovács have not put in their resignation yet."
Source: Portfolio Online Financial Journal
02.04.2008