Ruminations on life after Covid

As the third wave of the coronavirus passes its peak, the number of infections declines and the vaccination rate passes 31 per cent, commentators ponder the post-Covid prospects of economic recovery.

Public deficit at 9 percent seen as the lesser evil

A pro-government commentator concedes that last year’s public deficit was extremely high, but in the midst of the pandemic, the government had no other sensible option than to help businesses keep afloat.

Prospects of Hungarian economic recovery

A conservative economist welcomes efforts by the government and the National Bank to boost the economy. A left-wing commentator fears that Hungary may pay a high price for the new foreign currency loans taken by the government.

Dispute over household savings and spending

Pro-government economists praise the government for incentivizing domestic spending. A left-wing analyst, on the other hand, fears that Hungarian families will soon face difficulties and have to cut back on spending.

Donald Trump seen as Hungary’s friend  

A pro-government commentator suggests that Hungary would benefit from the re-election of President Trump in November. He calls Prime Minister Orbán a strategic and ideological ally of the US President.

Dispute over government’s economic measures

A pro-government and an independent economist find the government’s economic incentives to kick-start the economy reasonable and well-balanced. A former liberal minister and a left-wing commentator, on the other hand, accuse the government of mismanaging the economic crisis. A centrist analyst predicts that after the health emergency, the government will ...

GDP growth just below 5 per cent

A pro-government journalist praises government policy, but admits that Hungary’s high growth rate is also due to external factors.

Additional investment in health care deemed indispensable

A business analyst believes that despite strong attacks on the government for the sad state of the public health service, all political sides actually agree on the necessity to spend more on health care.

Record GDP growth in 2018

Commenting on the official announcement which puts the growth of Hungary’s Gross Domestic Product at 4.8 per cent last year, commentators predict a moderate slowdown, while recognising that the growth figures eventually surpassed even the optimistic forecasts.

Moody’s keeps Hungarian credit rating unchanged

A conservative economist criticizes the credit rating company Moody’s for not upgrading Hungary’s rating. A left-wing commentator explains Moody’s decision with the still high volume of public debt.