Commenting on recent statistics, a pro-government economist contends that PM Orbán has been successful in consolidating the Hungarian economy. The leading left-wing daily cites data from the building industry to underpin its view that the government’s policies have mostly failed. READ MORE
A pro-government daily accuses the top court of siding with banks, avoiding relevant questions and undermining public faith in the courts, while the leading opposition daily says the story is far from over and suspects that this resolution is exactly what the government hoped for. READ MORE
Népszabadság thinks the government may take a sigh of relief after the Federal Reserve Board decided not to cut back on its quantitative easing programme, but doubts if the ensuing favourable investors’ climate will last until next year’s elections. READ MORE
A centrist-liberal commentator accuses the government of hindering economic growth in an effort to increase its popularity before next year’s election. Another determined critic of the government thinks the scheme will work because it meets well established public expectations. READ MORE
A liberal analyst says the greatest problem Fidesz faces in the upcoming campaign is how to handle hundreds of thousands of voters with forex mortgages who can no longer be won over with expressions of sympathy and solidarity. A left-leaning commentator disagrees and foresees further verbal manoeuvring to appease angry mortgage holders. READ MORE
Figyelő fears that the rescue scheme may encourage debtors to default. Népszabadság warns that imposing excessive burdens on banks will harm recovery. READ MORE
Magyar Nemzet welcomes an initiative by the new management of the National Bank to alleviate the burden on families indebted in foreign currencies, which could help them cope better with their debts. READ MORE
Commentators across the political spectrum ponder the possible impact of the IMF loan repayment and the conversion of foreign currency-based mortgages into Forint credit. READ MORE
A conservative pundit warns against a selective conversion of loans denominated in foreign currencies. He proposes that the National Bank should step in and offer part of its foreign currency reserves to convert all FX household loans into Forint credits. READ MORE
A pro-government columnist welcomes PM Orbán’s decision to repay the IMF loan as soon as possible. The main left-wing daily, however, warns of the undesirable consequences of getting rid of the IMF. READ MORE