He said ruling Fidesz had “deceived” the country and had “cast away all respectable conservative values”. Botka said in his speech that next year’s election would be decided between voters who are satisfied with the government’s performance and those who are not.

He said it was not enough for him to “put forward the best election programme possible”, adding that the support of all “leftist, democratic and dissatisfied” voters would be needed.

Botka described himself as “a team player” who could “lead Hungary to victory” if voters believe in values of leftwing politics such as equality and justice. He said a Socialist government would “build a new Hungary” in which “the little man” is treated equally and the people “would once again have freedom of expression, thought” and would be “free to do as they please”.

Ruling Fidesz reacted to Botka’s nomination saying that he was a candidate of US financier George Soros. “The Socialist Party’s prime ministerial candidate has made it clear that if his party wins the election, they would dismantle the fence [on Hungary’s border with Serbia] and let in migrants, thereby putting the security of Hungary and the whole of Europe at risk,” Fidesz said in a statement.

“The Socialists are ready to implement the migration policy of Soros and Brussels.”

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

MTI photo: Soós Lajos