The three political parties in Hungary’s parliamentary opposition appear to be upset with the ruling Fidesz Party’s choice of candidate for the country’s next president. According to party statements on Tuesday, the opposition is considering boycotting the May 2 president elections to protest Fidesz stalwart Janos Ader’s candidacy. However, a boycott would be little more than symbolic since Ader is likely to be voted by a two-thirds majority in parliament. “
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has made a second mistake in choosing a president,” Attila Mesterhazy, chair of the opposition Socialist MSZP party, said on Tuesday. Orban’s previous presidential choice Pal Schmitt was forced to resign after being stripped of his university doctorate for plagiarism. Mesterhazy said Orban ignored the wishes of Hungarians by picking a party politician instead of a respected independent personality.
Green LMP party caucus leader Benedek Javor called the forthcoming presidential election a “game” in which Fidesz was the only player. The far-right Jobbik party’s vice-president Zoltan Balczo called for a general election, saying he felt only a popular vote could restore the credibility of the presidency following Schmitt’s resignation.
Full Article: Hungarian Opposition May Boycott Presidential Election.
