Commenting on the latest GDP data, a conservative analyst is optimistic about Hungary’s economic prospects. His left-wing counterpart admits fast growth but at the same time fears that the increase in economic output has no impact on the lives of poorer Hungarians. READ MORE
Conservative pundits welcome the government’s decision to temporarily invest in ERSTE Bank Hungary and pledge to take out the surplus bank tax. This, they believe, will help consolidate the banking sector and boost lending. A left-wing commentator doubts that the government will fulfil its promises. READ MORE
Left-wing and liberal commentators accuse the government of planning brutal cuts as Minister of National Economy Varga announces plans to reduce the rate of government spending. A conservative blogger suggests that the rate can be reduced without major austerity measures, provided the economy keeps growing at its current rate. READ MORE
The leading left-wing daily accuses the government of tinkering with key economic indicators in order to suggest that the economy is growing rather than stagnating. A conservative analyst finds the Left guilty of claiming that the Hungarian economy is in bad shape, despite sizeable increases in most key indicators. READ MORE
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
Left-wing columnists fear further austerity measures. A pro-government pundit notes that although the excessive deficit procedure has been lifted, the government should not expect an end to criticism from the EU. A conservative commentator, on the other hand, hopes that Fidesz will call a truce with the EU. READ MORE
Commentators and political analysts ponder the prospects of the Hungarian economy and the chances of government projects as the country is likely to soon exit the EU excessive deficit procedure. READ MORE
Right-wing commentators celebrate Hungary’s exit from the EU excessive deficit procedure, which they interpret as an acknowledgment of the government’s performance. Left-wing pundits, on the other hand, believe that the EU pressurized Orbán into submission, and fear that the Hungarian economy will not grow any time soon. READ MORE
The leading left liberal daily contends that the government wants to silence its critics by imposing an advertisement tax on media outlets. A right-wing blogger wonders why the government is punishing Hungarian media companies rather then helping them. READ MORE
A left wing daily claims that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is bound to win the sympathy of the voters whether Brussels waives the excessive deficit procedure or not. A pro-government daily suggests that the EU has run out of excuses to keep a punitive measure in place, which in any case had more to do with anger with a country that defies orthodoxy yet remains successful. A business daily focuses on the new taxes to be introduced to meet the deficit target, and maintains that the planned tax on commercials and advertising revenue guarantees further control over the commercial media. READ MORE