HVG: 'Liberals Don't Want Gyurcsány In New Govt'

Earlier this week Gyurcsany proposed talks with his former government allies to resolve a standoff over his tax reform proposals, which the liberals rejected over the weekend.

On Friday, the Free Democrats said they would negotiate with the Socialists but the talks would have to be about the establishment of government of experts, not the tax reform measures the Socialists had proposed.

"We accept the invitation of the prime minister but what we want to talk about is the issue of an expert government," Free Democrat party president Gabor Fodor told a news conference.

Asked if the party could imagine cooperating with Gyurcsany in a new government, Fodor said "No".

The liberals withdrew from the coalition in April after Gyurcsany sacked their health minister and halted unpopular public sector reforms in a bid to reverse opinion poll losses.

The Socialists are now five seats short of a legislative majority, and they need to secure the backing of at least some of 20 liberal lawmakers or other opposition MPs to survive a crucial budget vote in the autumn session of parliament.

Gyurcsany has proposed tax cuts of up to 300 billion forints ($1.82 billion) next year, financed largely from a clampdown on the grey economy.

The Free Democrats, who have called for corresponding cuts in state spending, said they were ready for talks with the Socialists and other parliamentary parties on setting up a new government of respected technocrats.

They say such a "government of experts" is the only way out of an economic quagmire.

"All responsible forces must now seek a solution which can bring about stability and restore public trust, while also putting Hungary back on a path of growth," Fodor said.

"A government of experts would now be in the best interests of the country, one that is capable of dealing with these issues and is not concerned more about measures that help its own re-election." 

Source: HVG