"The Socialist Party national council backed Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány on Saturday and vowed to vote for the multi-player health insurance reform bill in Parliament this afternoon.In what Magyar Hírlap described as an uncommonly short assessment of the year, Gyurcsány attempted to convince council members of the advantages of the new health insurance system, stressing its “guaranteed elements.” He managed to regain the support of the vast majority of the council, the daily observed.
Responding to criticism regarding a perceived lack of co-operation and consultation, Gyurcsány promised to rebuild confidence. He told a press briefing after the meeting that he is sure Parliament will pass the bill today, adding that he trusts President László Sólyom will sign the bill into law.
Although invited, Speaker Katalin Szili did not attend the meeting. Szili told Népszabadság that the pressure exerted on MPs and their free voting rights is unacceptable.
The council adopted a position paper declaring that there is no need to change direction or carry out personnel changes at government level, but the following steps of the reforms must be taken by involving those affected on a more broader scale, and by conducting far more thorough consultations."
Source: Hungary Around the Clock.
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17.12.2007