“No decision has been made by the Socialists along the lines of what was leaked by someone to the press,” the party’s statement said.

Imre Komjáthi, the party’s leader, said “in this very fluid political environment” the party was seeking a solution “that can ensure that our values … are enforced to the fullest extent possible”.

He added that the related decisions would be made by the party’s national board and leading bodies, and its next congress would likely be convened by mid-February.

Magyar Nemzet wrote on Tuesday that, for the first time in 36 years, the opposition party was unlikely to run in the next parliamentary election.