Commenting on the planned reforms presented by PM Orbán in Brussels, analysts agree that the Hungarian government has no choice but to take further steps to reduce the deficit after a decade of irresponsible governance. Some, however, fear that the austerity measures will deepen the economic crisis. READ MORE
As the IMF makes a credit-line agreement conditional on restoring foreign investors’ confidence, a right-wing commentator points out that Hungarians who buy government securities apparently have faith that their country will soon manage to get over the crisis. READ MORE
The main pro-government daily describes the attitude of the European Commission towards Hungary as nonsensical, for it releases only vague statements on what conditions Hungary should fulfil in order to be judged fit to start negotiations with the IMF on a long awaited credit line agreement. According to the biggest left-wing newspaper, on the other hand, the real problem is that Brussels has no trust in Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. READ MORE
A conservative columnist urges the government to reach an agreement with the IMF, and implicitly rejects an official communique condemning his critical stance on the government’s economic policy. READ MORE
A left-wing economist calls upon the government to ask for more complex international financial assistance rather than bargaining so hard over the preconditions.
A pro-government columnist wonders whether the IMF is delaying the start of credit line negotiations with Hungary, in the hope that the financial markets will put the country under increased pressure, so that the government will give in and accept all the conditions dictated by the IMF.
A conservative critic of the right-wing government fears that Hungary’s rulers think they can get away without an IMF credit line agreement. READ MORE
Liberal and left-wing analysts fear that the strengthening anti-EU rhetoric prevalent among the supporters of the government will in the long run play into the hands of the radical right. READ MORE
Népszabadság believes Hungary’s chief IMF negotiator will just have to sign the draft he will be shown in Washington, no matter what the conditions are. Magyar Nemzet contends however that the government should not just listen to what the IMF wants. READ MORE
A popular political analyst suspects that Mr Barroso’s “ultimatum” to Viktor Orbán may be part of a plan to topple the Hungarian Prime Minister. READ MORE