“The government has only been able to take away from the people: it has taken away democracy, their money and, if they let them, they will take away their future as well,” he said. Molnár, elected to his post in June, said Fidesz is unable to govern: health care and education are on the brink of collapse and most people are unable to make ends meet from their wages.

Molnár said his party envisions a country where talent and hard work can bring success even if one is not a family member of a “local overlord”. The Socialists envisions a country where everyone gets a chance, where “there isn’t a war on every week”, where there is prosperity and security, he said. MSZP will become the party of those who want change, he added.

Concerning the upcoming EU migrant quota referendum, Molnár noted that his party does not support the migrant resettlement quota but protests against the “hate campaign” and calls for a boycott of the referendum.

The Együtt, Dialogue for Hungary and the Democratic Coalition are separate opposition parties, but have the same view about the referendum, Molnár said, adding they are cooperating with the Socialists in their campaign for the Oct. 2 ballot.

“There will be cooperation, should those parties so wish, in ousting the Orbán regime” in 2018, Molnár said.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter

MTI photo: Illyés Tibor