Based on the above, Viktor Orbán talked about five specific tasks, which the political centre-right will have to tackle in the near future. One is the local governmental election, which, according to him, should be a story not of promises but of reality.

Next year’s budget should also be based on real figures. The Prime Minister said that putting a budget together will be a ‘great battle’, and ’desperate skirmishes should be expected even within the parliamentary group of Fidesz’. He highlighted the new development plan - the New Széchenyi Plan - announced in late July, currently under discussion with the economic partners. This is aimed at offering opportunities to those who have not been given a chance so far. read me!

After the local governmental elections in the autumn, Fidesz-KDNP’s nominee István Tarlós is most likely to replace the liberal Gábor Demszky who has been heading the capital city since 1990. The new Budapest Mayor will be facing the tasks of sorting out the problems in the operation and in the financing of Budapest. Gábor Demszky asked his prospective successor to preserve the cultural diversity of the capital city and to finish the large investment projects underway, including the construction of metro line number 4.

The resigning Budapest Mayor delivered his farewell address in the Thursday meeting of the Budapest Assembly. Mr. Demszky used to be a popular ‘system changing’ politician but he has lost his supporters by now and SZDSZ, the party that nominated him, has practically vanished. read me!