Profit transfers higher than EU subsidies

A university lecturer argues that it would be unfair if the European Union were to introduce new political conditions for regional and cohesion subsidies to continue beyond 2020. His contribution is part of a debate over calculations by the French left–wing star economist Tomas Piketty, who wrote that on aggregate Hungary and the rest of the Visegrád countries are the losers of the ‘free market access for development subsidies’ system operated by the European Union. READ MORE

MSZP suspected of receiving government support

A fact-finding journalist discovers examples of surprising albeit indirect financial help from the government side to the MSZP, while an independent commentator dismisses the idea that the MSZP is kept afloat by Fidesz as just one more conspiracy theory. Jobbik’s new moderate strategy may play a role in the strategies of these two parties. READ MORE

National Bank forecasts faster GDP growth

A left-wing commentator doubts that Hungarian GDP growth will reach the 4 per cent figure in 2017 forecast by National Bank President Matolcsy. The leading online business site, however, thinks that Matolcsy’s optimistic estimate may be correct. READ MORE

Dispute over National Bank recruitment 

A conservative columnist criticizes the National Bank for hiring former counterespionage officers. A pro-government economist, on the other hand, alleges that its critics want to take revenge on the National Bank for cutting into the profit of financial speculators.  READ MORE

In praise of Matolcsy’s central bank policies

Hungarian tax payers have walked away with huge gains thanks to National Bank President György Matolcsy’s bold policies, according to an article on a right-wing news site. READ MORE

New data protection bill for public enterprises

Magyar Nemzet warns that a new bill restricting public scrutiny of state-owned companies could backfire, while Magyar Hírlap rejects such criticism as politically motivated. READ MORE

National Bank President still under fire

As the debate over the management of the funds of the National Bank (MNB) rolls on, passionate articles abound both in condemnation and in defence of its President.

READ MORE

Parliament amends National Bank Act

A left-wing and a centrist columnist criticize an amendment to the National Bank Act which removes from the realm of public funds the money offered by the National Bank to its own foundations – thereby allowing the Bank to treat that information as private. READ MORE

Base interest rate cut to historic low

As the National Bank concludes its easing cycle by cutting the base interest rate to 1.35 per cent, a conservative columnist contends that the MNB has helped economic growth significantly, and, despite leftist fears, the Forint has not been weakened by the rapid sequence of rate cuts.

READ MORE

Base rate cut to a record low

As the Monetary Council lowers the base rate to a historic low and announces the end of the easing cycle, columnists on both left and right acknowledge that Central Banker Governor Matolcsy’s bold and often criticized steps have proven valid. READ MORE