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Hungarian PM defies calls to quit Hungary PM calls confidence vote
(20 minutes later)
Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany has insisted he will not resign despite his party suffering heavy defeats in regional elections. Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany has called a vote of confidence following punishing defeats in regional elections.
The opposition said its capture of a record number of cities amounted to a public rejection of Mr Gyurcsany. Mr Gyurcsany has been under heavy pressure since admitting that he lied in the run-up to April's general election, but says he will not resign.
The prime minister recently admitted that he lied about the economy to win re-election, sparking large protests. In local elections on Sunday the opposition capitalised, winning in a record number of Hungarian cities.
Hungary's president also suggested the prime minister's coalition allies should replace him. But Mr Gyurcsany's coalition allies have said he still has their support.
But members of the governing coalition said they would continue to support the prime minister, and he insisted he would not step down. The prime minister was confident of winning the vote - which may take place on Friday - and staying in office, an unnamed source close to him was quoted by Reuters as saying.
"We are continuing with our policies, as am I personally," he told a news conference. His left-wing coalition holds 210 of the 386 seats in parliament.
"We are continuing with our policies, as am I personally," Mr Gyurcsany said after the scale of his party's defeat on Sunday became clear.
'Voters have spoken''Voters have spoken'
Preliminary results suggested the opposition centre-right party, Fidesz, won 18 out of 19 counties and at least 15 out of 23 cities - but failed to secure the capital, Budapest. Preliminary results from Sunday's vote suggested the opposition centre-right party, Fidesz, won 18 out of 19 counties and at least 15 out of 23 cities - but failed to secure the capital, Budapest.
Final results are expected later on Monday.Final results are expected later on Monday.
The National Election Office said turnout was 53% - Hungary's highest for local elections since the former communist country returned to democracy in 1990.The National Election Office said turnout was 53% - Hungary's highest for local elections since the former communist country returned to democracy in 1990.
Protesters have maintained their demonstrations in BudapestProtesters have maintained their demonstrations in Budapest
Fidesz leader Viktor Orban said the public's intention was clear.Fidesz leader Viktor Orban said the public's intention was clear.
"Hungarian voters tonight have replaced the prime minister in office," he said after first results emerged on Sunday night."Hungarian voters tonight have replaced the prime minister in office," he said after first results emerged on Sunday night.
"We call on the Socialist Party to refrain from going against the will of the people and to carry out the voters' decision.""We call on the Socialist Party to refrain from going against the will of the people and to carry out the voters' decision."
Fidesz warned it would organise a mass protest on Thursday if Mr Gyurcsany was not out by then.
President Laszlo Solyom also urged the governing coalition to pick a new leader.President Laszlo Solyom also urged the governing coalition to pick a new leader.
"The parliament can restore society's confidence [in government]. The parliamentary majority holds the key to the solution," he said."The parliament can restore society's confidence [in government]. The parliamentary majority holds the key to the solution," he said.
He also accused the prime minister of undermining confidence in democracy and refusing "to admit that he used inadmissible means to keep power".He also accused the prime minister of undermining confidence in democracy and refusing "to admit that he used inadmissible means to keep power".
Drastic reformDrastic reform
But Mr Gyurcsany resisted the pressure and said he would push ahead with tough economic reforms.But Mr Gyurcsany resisted the pressure and said he would push ahead with tough economic reforms.
Drastic changes to health care, state administration, higher education and energy prices have been announced by the government since its re-election in April.Drastic changes to health care, state administration, higher education and energy prices have been announced by the government since its re-election in April.
But the government was shaken by a leaked tape in which Mr Gyurcsany was heard saying that the government deliberately misled the public about the state of the economy to help it gain re-election.But the government was shaken by a leaked tape in which Mr Gyurcsany was heard saying that the government deliberately misled the public about the state of the economy to help it gain re-election.
The past two weeks have seen daily protests calling for the prime minister to step down.The past two weeks have seen daily protests calling for the prime minister to step down.