Hungarian PM announces resignation

Ferenc Gyurcsany announced on Saturday that he had decided to step down as Hungary's prime minister. According to various news sources, Gyurcsany told delegates to the weekend conference of the governing Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) that he would officially inform parliament on Monday of his intention to step aside. Hungarian PM announces resignation He said the MSZP would hold an extraordinary meeting within two weeks to name a successor, while not naming an official who might replace him at the helm of the government. The MSZP has ruled in a minority since last April, when the liberal SZDSZ left the coalition, in large part because of friction over the pace of economic reforms. According to news agency Reuters, a source close to Gyurcsany said the PM expected the decision would not lead immediately to new elections, due to Parliamentary rules that allow for a "constructive vote of no confidence" by a small minority of MPs. As a result, it would not be a formal resignation. Under this scenario, Gyurcsany would remain leader of the party, which in 2006 became the first since the political changes to lead a government returned to power by voters. Gyurcsany move comes less than three months before European Parliament elections which threaten a blow-out for the MSZP at the hands of the center-right Fidesz.

Hungarian PM announces resignation

He said the MSZP would hold an extraordinary meeting within two weeks to name a successor, while not naming an official who might replace him at the helm of the government.

The MSZP has ruled in a minority since last April, when the liberal SZDSZ left the coalition, in large part because of friction over the pace of economic reforms.

According to news agency Reuters, a source close to Gyurcsany said the PM expected the decision would not lead immediately to new elections, due to Parliamentary rules that allow for a "constructive vote of no confidence" by a small minority of MPs. As a result, it would not be a formal resignation.

Under this scenario, Gyurcsany would remain leader of the party, which in 2006 became the first since the political changes to lead a government returned to power by voters.

Gyurcsany move comes less than three months before European Parliament elections which threaten a blow-out for the MSZP at the hands of the center-right Fidesz.