Party of European Socialists (PES) Interim President, Sergei Stanishev, has welcomed the efforts of Hungarian opposition parties who staged a pro-democracy rally in the centre of Budapest yesterday. The rally was in protest at the increasingly authoritarian measures of the ruling FIDESZ party. In particular, reductions in judicial, media and central bank independence have severely damaged the democratic infrastructure of Hungary. Over 100,000 citizens attended the rally.

Mr. Stanishev singled out Socialist Party (MSZP) leader Attila Mesterhazy, who had played a critical role in ensuring that opposition parties were united. He stated that; "Attila Mesterhazy is helping to building a domestic coalition for democracy. The coalition is based on the most powerful force in any society – its people". Mr. Stansihev promised that; "The Party of European Socialists is committed to ensuring support for this coalition. Our role is to help build global awareness that the Hungarian Government of Viktor Orban is out of control. Attila is providing the domestic opposition, now we must match that with international condemnation of Orban’s Government."

PES General Secretary Philip Cordery added that; "the silence on the situation from the European Peoples Party (EPP), who count FIDESZ as a full member, is becoming deafening. The PES calls on the EPP to suspend FIDESZ from its ranks until such time as Hungarian democratic institutions regain their independence and their integrity". Mr. Cordery reiterated PES plans to make 2012 the ‘year of European democracy’.

The PES had previously condemned the arrest of Hungarian Members of Parliament who had protested against the constitutional distortions of the FIDESZ Government.