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
Analysts wonder if it makes sense to increase public ownership in the banking sector. A pro-government commentator welcomes the decision, which he believes will help the economy, while a left-wing columnist warns against spending public money to consolidate MKB. READ MORE
Left-wing and liberal pundits harshly criticize the government’s bid for Dunaferr Steel Works after it announced the layoff of 1,500 employees. Critics suggest that renationalization will mean that taxpayers will have to shoulder the company’s losses. 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
Commentators across the political spectrum wonder about the possible reasons behind the restrictions announced by the Minister of the Economy. READ MORE
A pro-government columnist warns that Hungary cannot be sure of release from the EU’s excessive deficit procedure, despite all its fiscal zeal. READ MORE
A leading commentator at Népszabadság claims the government does not want to reach an agreement with the IMF, because it finds the price – a return to “orthodox” economic policy -too high. READ MORE
A conservative columnist comments on rumours about the breakdown of IMF talks. The government is right to resist IMF pressure to cut wages and pensions, he suggests. But he is at a loss to explain why the government has launched an insulting media campaign against the IMF to coincide with its yearly summit. READ MORE