“It is political roguery to respond to a failed referendum by initiating a constitutional amendment,” he said, referring to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s vow to amend the constitution to reflect the referendum’s outcome of “no” to EU binding migrant quotas. When the government invites a referendum, it is asking for people’s approval to do something, Gyurcsány said. “An invalid referendum means that the people withheld their approval of the Orbán government’s way of doing things,” he added.

Between May and August, the leading pollsters forecast turnout of well above 50 percent at the referendum. According to Gyurcsány, the opposition’s campaign since late August and early September has convinced more than a million people not to vote or to spoil their ballot papers. Gyurcsány told the press conference that the opposition parties should run together in the 2018 general election.

The lesson to be learnt is that a well-coordinated campaign with a common political message works and this “victory” has opened the way for parties to join forces for the next election, he said. In response to a question, Gyurcsány said he had already spoken to Socialist leader Gyula Molnár and they were in agreement that a joint proposal should be prepared for how to work together in 2017.

The opposition Liberal Party said the planned constitutional amendment was unwarranted. Party leader Gábor Fodor told a press conference that the Liberals resolutely rejected the initiative because it went against the European Union, sharpened conflict and lacked the backing of the majority of Hungarian voters.

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

Photo: MTI