* Prime minister signals no new IMF deal
* Orban wants to renegotiate EU budget goals
* Calls for "equal treatment" for all EU states
* Parliament passes bank tax as expected
By Gergely Szakacs and Krisztina Than
(Adds parliament decision on bank tax, Bank Association)
BUDAPEST, July 22 (Reuters) - Hungary's prime minister signalled on Thursday that he would not renew a deal on an IMF safety net and would row back on a commitment to cut the budget deficit to European Union-prescribed levels next year.
The comments from Viktor Orban, who took power in May with the largest majority in Hungary's post-communist history, were the latest in a string of statements that have stunned markets and confounded a Europe-wide push towards spending cuts.
Orban, who has shunned outside economic advice in favour of a domestic agenda, has pledged to end the belt-tightening pursued by the previous Socialist government. His eye appears to be clearly on Oct. 3 municipal elections, where he can consolidate his party's grip on Hungarian politics.
Analysts said his centre-right Fidesz cabinet's rejection of more austerity measures in favour of a "pro-growth" policy including a tax on banks and possibly other businesses might be softened after the municipal vote.
But Orban has spurned warnings that Hungary could face market pressure and currency weakness without support from its lenders, and said the 20 billion euro ($25 billion) EU and International Monetary Fund aid deal would expire in October.
He said Hungary would meet its budget target under the agreement but the issue of a new safety net was "insignificant" in light of more important negotiations with the EU about how Hungary would bring its budget deficit below 3 percent of GDP.
And in a move that could indicate a delay in budget consolidation, he called for all EU states to follow the same timeframe to reach the bloc's prescribed deficit limit of 3 percent.
Some members may not achieve it until at least 2014.
"We will have a single demand, namely that of equal treatment, that is, the same timeframe must be set for all to meet the EU's expectation," Orban said.
The EU and IMF suspended talks over the bailout package on Saturday after Fidesz refused to abandon the bank tax, which the Fund says will squeeze lending and hamper growth. It had called for deeper structural reforms.
Under Hungary's convergence plan submitted to the EU, it agreed to cut its budget deficit to 3 percent by 2011 from a target of 3.8 percent this year.
The IMF said on Thursday it was ready to resume negotiations with Hungary.
Calling for "terms the Hungarian people deserve" and for the country of 10 million to "restore (its) lost economic sovereignty", Orban presented a bill to parliament that aims to glean 200 billion forints ($892.4 million) from a tax on banks both this year and in 2011.
As expected, the law was passed, including the new financial sector tax and a cut in the central bank governor's salary, with 301 votes in the 386-seat parliament.
Hungary's Banking Association chief Tamas Erdei told Reuters the special bank tax could drive eight to 10 banks into the red this year and should be phased out by 2012.
CONFLICTING MESSAGES
Emboldened by his election victory and austerity fatigue among voters, Orban has shown little of the contrition expressed by leaders in economically troubled Romania, Latvia, and other formerly communist EU states worst hit by the global crisis.
His approach has spooked investors already rattled by problems in the euro zone periphery and the threat of a double-dip recovery, although Thursday's reaction was mixed.
The forint, which plunged more than 3 percent on Monday to around 292 versus the euro -- levels last seen in May 2009 -- had climbed back to 283.80 by 1414 GMT on Thursday.
The Finance Ministry sold all the bills it had put on offer at a 12-month treasury bill auction, but yields rose, indicating that markets remained skittish.
Hungary is in no danger of default and has managed to put its finances back in order since first having to grab the EU/IMF lifeline in 2008.
And Orban said that, with one of the EU's lowest budget deficits, Hungary could hit the 3 percent of GDP budget deficit level more easily than other EU states, which would strengthen Budapest's credibility in markets.
Analysts, however, have said Orban's conflicting messages to domestic and international audiences have bruised his image in the eyes of investors.
"At the moment, the market is buying into the idea that he is posturing, given domestic political pressure," said Imran Ahmed, emerging FX strategist at RBS.
"The hope is that ultimately ... he's fully aware of how dependent Hungary is on external market support ... if the IMF and Hungary can't reach an agreement and we still continue to get this uncertainty, markets could get quite brutal."
Hungarian media said Fidesz could also enact a special tax on telecoms and power firms. Economists say that might put the 2010 budget goal in reach but could hinder growth, undermine job creation and postpone vital structural reforms.
They say the bold attitude could backfire, as the EU would not enter new aid talks without the IMF and it could also slap Fidesz with sanctions for policies such as undermining the independence of its central bank.
"The risks to Hungary are great if global risk sentiment turns," said Nomura strategist Peter Attard Montalto. (Additional reporting by Gergely Szakacs; writing by Michael Winfrey; editing by Andrew Roche)