E-PM said the decision was made after the Socialists refused to accept a deal made with the Democratic Coalition on Friday. The Socialists are endangering the strengthening of opposition forces in Budapest and more than one democratic opposition candidate will face the ruling Fidesz candidate in certain electoral districts of the capital, E-PM added.

Ferenc Gyurcsány’s Democratic Coalition (DK) said it still wanted to see some form of cooperation between leftist parties. The DK urges the Socialists and E-PM to consider adhering to those points of their earlier agreement that were undisputed by either party, a party spokesman said.

The head of the Socialists in Budapest, Ágnes Kunhalmi, told commercial television station ATV that an agreement by the left-wing parties would materialise in the end. “There will be an agreement, and anyone on the left who is worried that there won’t be one, needn’t be.”