Sermer called on voters “not to believe Jobbik’s communications”, which have veered to the centre in tone, and demanded that Jobbik admit that it “would not get rid of its skinheads because Jobbik is in need of their support”.

Sermer insisted that some opposition parties were “flirting” with Jobbik, but declined to name actual parties. He noted, however, that the Socialist Party had recently voiced readiness to enter into negotiations with all parties with the exception of former Socialist prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsany’s Democratic Coalition.

“The fact that Jobbik is among parties with whom pre-election talks are a possibility, indicates that we have been very much blindfolded by Jobbik’s communication”, he argued. Sermer was asked about recent remarks by Jobbik leader Gábor Vona, who said that Jobbik had “never been anti-Semitic or anti-Gypsy” but was ready to apologise for “ill-advised remarks” to the Roma and Jewish communities.

Referring to Ásotthalom, a town in southern Hungary, whose notorious deputy mayor was delegated by Jobbik, Sermer said the municipality had passed “racist, anti-constitutional and stigmatising” decrees.

“As long as Jobbik’s policies are racist and anti-democratic, violating European values, it won’t matter whom Vona apologises to”, Sermer said.

The Liberal party failed to reach the 1 percent mark, the latest poll released by the Tárki Research Institute on July showed. They said, ruling Fidesz-Christian Democrat alliance is the most popular, and Jobbik is the strongest opposition party.

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