9 March 2008: On Sunday, March 9, voters in Hungary handed the ruling Socialist Party and Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany a defeat by voting against a referendum on doctors’ fees. The referendum had three questions asking voters to approve fees for hospital consultations; hospital stays; and university tuition.

All three questions were rejected by more than 80% of the voters. Turnout was much higher than expected at over 50%. There have been calls from the opposition Fidesz Party for Mr. Gyurcsany to step down although the prime minister is not expected to resign.

The opposition has gained legitimacy from the referenda having called them in response to the fees, which were imposed last year. Since then it costs about $1.80 to visit a doctor; $3.50 to stay in the hospital, and $615 to register for university.

Prime Minister Gyurcsany has been under fire since the scandal in September 2007 in which a tape was leaked to the press of Mr. Gyurcsany and his Socialist Party ministers acknowledging lying about the economy to win the April 2006 elections. Despite weeks of rioting Mr. Gyurcsany refused to resign as prime minister.

Fidesz Party leader Viktor Orban said that this month’s referenda show the government has lost the support of the people. Mr. Gyurcsany dismissed calls for his resignation saying the opposition failed to unseat him.

The prime minister did promise to follow the will of the people and is having parliament move quickly to repeal the fees as the referendum is binding.

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