Preselection of left-wing mayoral candidate starts in Budapest

The preselection of the left-wing opposition candidate for mayor of Budapest started on Monday and will run through February 3.

The two candidates, Csaba Horváth of the Socialists and Gergely Karácsony of Párbeszéd, will compete during this week but on Sunday they will sign “an alliance for the future” with other parties, civilians and Budapest voters, the Socialists’ Budapest president Zsolt Molnár told reporters.

Current Budapest Mayor István Tarlós of the ruling Fidesz party has many supporters but “it is far from impossible to defeat him”, he said.

The municipal elections, especially the election of the Budapest mayor, scheduled for this autumn will be crucial because the opposition will have better chances in the 2022 parliamentary elections if it wins in Budapest this year, he added.

Molnár asked Budapest residents’ to support Horváth but added that after Sunday the Socialists will fully support whichever candidate wins the preselection.

Votes can be submitted for the candidates at 33 locations throughout Budapest until noon on Sunday.

Source: MTI