Socialists call for Orbán, Gyurcsány to give evidence to parliament committee on Russia blackmail claim

Budapest (MTI) – The opposition Socialist Party has called on Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Ferenc Gyurcsány, the leader of the Democratic Coalition (DK), to appear before parliament’s national security committee in connection with Gyurcsány’s allegation that the Russian state had blackmailed Orbán by threatening to reveal secret information.

Bertalan Tóth, the party’s group leader, told a news conference on Friday that such a claim required proof, given the impact it could have on the country’s sovereignty.

Zsolt Molnár, the (Socialist) head of the national security committee, said the two politicians had been invited to give evidence at the body’s next meeting. The committee also expects an explanation from representatives of the civil and military national secret services too, he said.

The ruling Fidesz party said in a statement in reaction that the Socialist Party and Gyurcsány should “settle their internal warfare between them”. Fidesz said “Gyurcsány should instead be examined by parliament’s health committee” while the Socialists “should address the issue of the fourth metro line”.

Source: MTI