Dilemmas at the Turn of the Millennium
Dilemmas at the Turn of the Millennium
By and large, the parties arrived at the threshold of the new millennium under the conditions described above. A few more minor changes took place in late 2000, which do not necessarily alter the big picture, but can serve as a starting point for new developments.
Fidesz is apparently concerned by the unstoppable crisis of its coalition partner, FKGP, and the question of what course of action can place the biggest obstacle in the way of the widest possible right wing unity or alliance in the future is still in the balance: is it Fidesz saving the smallholders or is it Fidesz letting them fall apart? And then we have not even given enough emphasis to the question of what should be done about the lesser allies of Fidesz. Apparently, all the political forces that are self-confident about their own ability to obtain, without external support, five percent of the votes during the next general elections believe that merging in a big collective party is not an urgent task for the immediate future.
At the end of 2000, more and more members of MSZP realized that they should form an election alliance before the next general elections. At this point in time even the unity and alliance within the MSZP seems to be a hard nut. As for the other political parties, there is pretty little willingness among them to openly join forces with the Socialists before the elections.
By electing Gábor Demszky president of the party, SZDSZ also decided to go their own way. This political enterprise for the time being seems to be a game of double or quits. If the masses that are disillusioned by Fidesz but do not wish to see MSZP in government again are really so large, then SZDSZ’s attempt to build up the third option can be successful. If, however, voters believe that it is only MSZP that can beat the present government, SZDSZ can easily – and for good – be erased from the political map.
All the same, the role of the “third force” is being picked by more and more. The Békejobb movement and MIÉP as well – although departing from different considerations.
