"The debate between the governing coalition parties is not about the reforms, but rather their pace, Hungary's Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány said on Monday.In an interview with local newswire MTI he noted that solving the row, which threatens with a government crisis, is in the interest of the whole country and that the Socialist Party (MSZP) and its liberal ally, the Free Democrats (SZDSZ) have 30 days to remedy the situation.
Gyurcsány said there is a profound argument between the coalition parties that threatens with a crisis. Based on the proposal by the SZDSZ (which intends to withdraw its ministers and state secretaries with effect from 30 April, by which date the PM is set to sack the party's Health Minister Ágnes Horváth), the parties have 30 days to solve the problem.
He said the two parties have been negotiating ever since he heralded Horváth's dismissal at a Socialist party congress on Saturday.
Gyurcsány said reform policy is not a Formula 1 race, so its success should not be gauged by how fast and radical it is.
“Let's not make a speed race, rather a race of results. A moderate but fulfilled reform is better than a failed radical reform," he said.
The PM refuted the remarks by the SZDSZ that he violated the coalition agreement, highlighting that the PM has the right to dismiss ministers and he only exercised this right (when sacked the Health Minister)."
Source: Portfolio Online Financial Journal
01.04.2008