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 Horvath of the Socialists and Gergely Karacsony of Parbeszed, 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 Molnar told reporters. Current Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlos 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. Molnar asked Budapest residents' to support Horvath but added that after Sunday the Socialists will fully support whichever candidate wins the preselection.