Political Capital

2009-10-28

Reasons behind the resurgence of the far right

A joint statement by the Hungarian Anti-Racist Foundation and Political Capital

2009-10-26

The Suez affair in Hungary: Fidesz and the foreign investors

The decision of the Fidesz-led municipal government to unilaterally terminate a contract with French Suez Environnement, minority owner of the municipal water works in Pécs raise political risks.

2009-08-27

Elections in Hungary Overshadowed by Constitutional Problems

Parliamentary elections to be held in the spring of 2010 carry constitutional and political risks due to an outdated election system.

2009-07-17

Hungarian Guard banned

The dissolution of the Hungarian Guard may radicalize and mobilize the far right.

2009-07-09

Chances for Early Elections in Hungary Diminished

With the passage of the tax bill, the chances of early elections in Hungary have diminished. Having implemented almost all components of a short-term crisis management program, it is now in a vacuum.

2009-06-16

Unstability Follows EP Elections in Hungary

Major conflicts are ahead, and the government's fate hinges on the tax bill vote in Parliament.

2009-06-14

Dissolution of the Hungarian Guard may radicalize and mobilize the far right

The dissolution of the Hungarian Guard could be an efficient tool for the law enforcement bodies to fight against extremism in Hungary.

2009-05-15

Huge Opposition Victory in Pécs, Hungary

MSZP suffered a staggering defeat in the mayoral elections of Pécs, and that can be seen as an indicator to the EP elections.

2009-04-29

New Hungarian PM, New Program

The new Bajnai government's program was well received, but it can alter public opinion for the worse before the European parliamentary elections.

2009-04-21

New Hungarian Government Starts Long Awaited Spending Cuts

The newly formed Bajnai-government in Hungary has released its crisis-management plans to curb the budget deficit and counterweight the effects of the global financial crisis.

2009-04-07

Gordon Bajnai to Become the New Hungarian PM

Last week the chances for an early election considerably diminished, its not in anyone's interest. Gordon Bajnai will most certainly become the new PM.

2009-04-03

Hungary: Breaking up with the region?

On the 4th of March the Hungarian currency began to fall, contrary to the rising currencies of other national currencies region. After a sudden fall the EUR/HUF rate reached the limit of 312.

2009-03-30

New PM candidate plans serious austerity measures in Hungary

After Gordon Bajnai has received the support from both the majority of MSZP and SZDSZ factions, it is very likely that he can be the successor of Ferenc Gyurcsány.

2009-03-23

Hungary: what’s next?

Following de facto resignation of the Prime Minister of Hungary there are two likely scenarios: 1) early elections or 2) a new government supported by the socialist MSZP and the liberal SZDSZ.

2009-02-13

Anti-Roma sentiment is getting out of hand in Hungary

The process that started in the autumn of 2006 with the Olaszliszka lynching seems to be completing its course. Political discourse on the Roma question has swung from one extreme to the other.

2009-02-02

The Crisis of the Hungarian Socialist Party

Tensions within the Socialist Party are rising, both generational and ideological. The stability of the is not yet affected, but the real test will be the passing of the 2010 budget later this year.

2008-12-12

The Crisis Stays in the Center of Hungarian Politics

The economic crisis has the government with little room for maneuvering until the 2010 election. Fidesz seems to have abandoned hopes for an early election and plans on taking over in 2010.

2008-12-05

Can Hungary become a bioethanol superpower?

Biofuels production offers an economic growth potential for Hungary in the short- and medium term, moreover, first-generation biofuels may utilize annual surpluses of agricultural production.

2008-11-03

The political consequences of the financial crisis in Hungary

The financial rescue package has restored the confidence in the Hungarian economy and currency in the short run. However, there is a risk that the crisis will amplify the existing deficiencies.

2008-10-08

Resurgent Hungarian Prime Minister, Paralysed MSZP

In the past few weeks Ferenc Gyurcsány’s position has stabilized somewhat. The „spy scandal” will remain the most important political topic in the coming period.

2008-09-04

Hungarian PM's Fate Hinges on the 2009 Budget

The fate of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány and the minority government will be determined by the two major issues before Parliament this fall: the tax legislation and the budget.

2008-08-27

Hungarian PM announces cautious autumn agenda

The PM offers a tax cut deal in the following four years, but only in line with the convergence program and only if there is extra income deriving from a much more transparent taxation culture.

2008-08-21

The Apollo-affair: Fidesz and the “alien capitalists”

The Apollo-affair and the attacks against Hankook reveal the contradictions in the political strategy of Fidesz: the conflict between the opposition position and the pre-government position.

2008-08-18

In Wait for an Action Plan in Hungary

The government will reveal its action plan for Parliament’s autumn session in late August or early September. SZDSZ will decide on whether or not to support the government after they have seen it.

2008-07-31

Hungarian Socialists: Back to Bottom

The rise in MSZP’s approval rating last month proved to be a temporary one, so they face the same problems that they had in the spring.

2008-06-13

Hungarian Opposition Courting Economic Actors

Fidesz is consciously courting economic players, preparing for an early election. The presidential election of SZDSZ has failed to produce a stable situation in the party.

2008-06-02

Tension grows between the NBH and the political elite

The National Bank of Hungary (NBH) was criticized by both the Hungarian government and the opposition after increasing the interest rate. We expect the political pressure to increase in the future.

2008-05-27

Shrinking Manouvring Room of Hungarian PM

The political environment is becoming less and less advantageous to the government. Fidesz has started a campaign that is aimed at attacking the government on economic grounds.

2008-05-16

‘State dependence’ of Hungarians is a major block to economic growth

Economic and political processes in Hungary are extensively influenced by voters’ anti-market and anti-competition sentiments. This has a considerably negative effect on competitiveness

2008-05-08

Hungarian PM's Position Stabilized

Ferenc Gyurcsány's position has stabilized for the moment, it can only be maintained if he is successful in garnering parliamentary support for the proposals of the minority government.

2008-04-18

Instability in Hungary Due to the Results of the Referendum

The new government is not likely to initiate reforms and it will possibly enact popular measures to cater former MSZP voters. Ferenc Gyurcsány's has significantly weakened, but he has no alternative.

2008-04-01

Coalition break-up: Short-term political forecast (valid only for 2 months)

Following the referendum the position of the PM has become unstable, the coalition tensions have risen.Hence the risky moves of the Prime Minister in the last days.

2008-03-21

Refrendum a Major Defeat of the Government of Hungary

While the results of the referendum is a big defeat of the government, reshuffle is not expected in the next few months, but policy changes will follow.

2008-03-12

Political risk in Hungary increased by the referendum

The referendum on 9th March is exceptional, since democratic countries rarely hold referenda on the abolition of point-of-delivery charges for health care and of university tuition fees.

2008-03-05

Hungarian Parties Have Seemingly Moved Beyond the Referendum

Ferenc Gyurcsány tried to undermine the last push of Fidesz by announcing potentially popular initiatives, while Fidesz tries to win voters in the political centre.

2008-02-20

Hungarian Parties Trying to Assess the Referendum in Advance

The parties are trying to present the referendum according to their priorities. Whatever the result, major political shift is not expected in the short term.

2008-01-28

Referendum Campaign Preparations in Hungary

Parties are preparing their campaign for the referendum on 9 March. The result will alter the strategies of the government and the opposition as well.

2007-12-17

Political Risk in Hungary has increased due to actions of the Hungarian Guard

The Political Risk of Hungary and the region has increased in the previous months because of the actions of the Hungarian Guard (Magyar Gárda).

2007-08-31

A nagypolitikából ki és vissza: Rogán Antal pályája

Lesz-e Orbán Viktor utáni Fidesz? A kérdés talán így is feltehető: Orbán Viktorral lesz-e Fidesz? És ha nem vele, akkor kivel? Lesz-e Gyurcsány nélkül MSZP? Vagy MSZP nélkül Gyurcsány? Látjuk-e a két, saját oldalukat vezető sztárpolitikuson túl a többieket? Egyre több, tehetségesnek tűnő jelentkezőt

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