Revved-up maverick
Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány poised to bring a new style of governance to Hungary
With far less leeway than his predecessor was afforded, Hungary’s new Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány will need to come up with a some magic in the next 20 months to take him to the next election. It is a true challenge, given the harsh economic realities he faces in taking over the job of prime minister. The challenge is all the more acute for the governing coalition since opinion polls still show opposition Fidesz – Alliance of Young Democrats – ahead by a formidable margin. BY ZOLTÁN HASZÁN

The new team
Gyurcsány unveils new ministers

Re-inventing again
Gyurcsány promises to take Hungarian left to new places
One of the enduring political mysteries of the 1990s and of the first years of the new century is where power lies in Hungary. The full story of the success of those close to the old Hungarian Socialist Workers Party (MSZMP) and the Young Communist League (KISZ), in converting their political power, and in some cases party and state funds into private wealth, has never been told. BY NICK THORPE