Government caps price of basic foodstuffs
January 14th, 2022Opposition-leaning outlets lambast the decision announced by the Prime Minister to freeze the price of white sugar, white flour, milk, chicken breasts, pork shanks and sunflower oil at October levels. The move follows a similar government freeze imposed on fuel prices in November, after inflation hit a 14 year high of 7.4 per cent.
Népszava features a statement by opposition frontrunner Péter Márki-Zay, who interprets the announcement as proof of a failed economic policy. ‘A government that starts tinkering with prices just 12 weeks ahead of the next elections, must go’, Márki-Zay said.
On 444, Zoltán Haszán recalls that in 1990, Viktor Orbán was defeated by a right-wing opponent who campaigned against retail stores and organised farmers’ markets in cities. Since then, the commentator writes, Mr Orbán has learned that cheap food may be the key to success in an electoral campaign.
Hvg online accuses the government of interfering with food prices at the expense of producers and shopkeepers, in an attempt to boost his chances of electoral victory.