"This year’s birthday cake proved to be bitter for the Free Democrats, Népszabadság observes, as the party marked the 19th anniversary of its formation on Tuesday.On a happier note, the party received a letter of greeting from 17 prominent people, including writer György Konrád and architect László Rajk, expressing pride that the party has remained true to its basic values 19 years on.
However, sociologist Gyula Kozák, a founding member, issued what the newspaper calls an indictment, saying “the present-day Alliance of Free Democrats has become a small group of blackmailers, the arena of people like Lajos Molnár, Péter Mihályi, Ágnes Horváth, Emese John, János Kóka and associates”.
It is doubtful whether the party has anything in common with the ideals of its founders, he asserted, as the Free Democrats have moved away from their principles and their primary aim is to stay in power.
Free Democrat Gábor Horn said Kozák’s letter is meant as a warning. The party was successful at the time of the change of regime because it represented the most radical anti-communism, whereas at present they find themselves in a difficult coalition, he said. The coalition could be severed, he added, but “the party feels a responsibility to the nation”.
Source: Hungary Around the Clock.
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15.11.2007