Hungary, which was close to bankruptcy at the end of 2008, made brutal spending cuts. The Greek government meanwhile responded to the crisis with lavishly spending money that it did not have.
Fidesz continues to dominate the polls, regardless of accusations that it does not have a program. The Socialists are pushing a more populist tone in order to mobilize their traditional voters.
Give credit to the governing Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP)’s PR people. They helped transform Gyula Horn into the man who the greatest number of Hungarians wanted to be prime minister in 1994.
The opposition Fidesz party is heading into the April election campaign with such a commanding opinion-poll lead that it may gain a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
The Socialists and the governments suffered numerous setbacks. The property tax has been abolished, more and more heads roll at BKV and the party's poll numbers failed to improve.
Hungary is still catching its breath from its near-miraculous feat of finishing 2009 at the target budget deficit of 3.9% of GDP, but investor applause is muted.
The president is expected to announce the dates of the 2010 general election in late January, with the first round likely to fall on April 11 and the second on April 25.
Most Hungarian parties have finished their preparations for the election campaign, and the political debate next year will be dominated by the quest for votes.
The smooth passage of the 2010 budget marks the beginning of the end for the Bajnai cabinet. The budget was the government’s last major hurdle.
Large inactive population, high and badly structured state redistribution, corruption, possible ethnic tensions and the emergence of the far-right are the key risk factors in Hungary.
The cancellation of the operating licenses of two commercial radio stations and granting these to new operators affiliated with MSZP and Fidesz represents gross and blatant interference in the media.
A joint statement by the Hungarian Anti-Racist Foundation and Political Capital
