RFE/RL NEWSLINE 
Vol. 2, No. 10, 16 January 1998

MINORITIES' ELECTION TO PARLIAMENT POSTPONED IN
HUNGARY. The government on 15 January announced that
the election of 13 ethnic minority representatives to the
parliament will be postponed until October, Hungarian media
reported. It had originally been planned to hold the vote at the
same time as the May general elections. The relevant bills will
be withdrawn for redrafting. "The delay will allow sufficient
time for preparations, should the Constitutional Court request a
preliminary review of the legislation," Interior Minister Gabor
Kuncze explained. Most minority groups said the delay is
acceptable to them. Meanwhile, spokesmen for the
parliamentary parties have rejected a suggestion by Hungarian
Church leaders that Churches be granted representation in the
country's legislature.  MSZ

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
               Copyright (c) 1998 RFE/RL, Inc.
                     All rights reserved.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx