The opposition Socialist Party has addressed an open letter to the secretary general of the Council of Europe concerning the Hungarian government’s conduct in connection with issues raised by the Venice Commission, the CoE’s advisory body, the party’s chairman told a press conference on Saturday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the party’s board meeting, Attila Mesterhazy said that in the letter they suggested that the CoE could request the Commission to evaluate answers provided by the Hungarian government on issues raised in connection with Hungary’s judicial reform.

Mesterhazy quoted government communication suggesting that 90 percent of the issues were resolved and the remaining ones were but “technical problems”. He insisted that civil organisations said the case was just the opposite, therefore it is important that the Commission publishes its own evaluation of the government’s responses.

Board leader Laszlo Botka announced that the board had unanimously supported the Socialist parliamentary group’s decision to stay away from the parliamentary vote on electing Janos Ader Hungary’s next president.

Botka argued that the ruling Fidesz party would “put another party stalwart in the (presidential) Sandor Palace”, rather than make an effort to build public trust, reinforce democratic institutions, and restore the “torn reputation” of the presidential post.