Second Hungarian Socialist seeks PM job

Hungary's ruling Socialists are set to hold a congress next week to pick their new prime minister after a challenger to their…

Hungary's ruling Socialists are set to hold a congress next week to pick their new prime minister after a challenger to their first choice surfaced today, a senior official said.

Mr Ildiko Lendvai, head of the Socialists' parliamentary group, told Hungarian radio the first candidate, Mr Peter Kiss, was also in favour of getting the widest possible party approval by holding the congress.

"It's very likely that on short notice we will call a party congress," Lendvai said.

A government source told reporters outgoing Hungarian Sports Minister Mr Ferenc Gyurcsany was the new challenger.