Main
opposition party Fidesz is drawing up plans to revamp the income-tax system
that it wants to submit to parliament later this year, the business daily
Világgazdaság reported last Wednesday. Continue »

The
National Bank of Hungary (MNB) has raised its benchmark interest rate to a
three-year high of 8.25% amidst fears of inflationary pressure from
higher-than-expected wage growth and rising energy prices. The latest
rate hike comes hot on the heels of a 50 base point increase at the end of
March, when the MNB’s rate-setting body, the twelve-strong Monetary Council,
raised the base rate from 7.5% to 8.0%.  Continue »

Budapest, May 5 (MTI) – Five new ministers took the oath of
office in parliament on Monday at the beginning of its first session
with the Socialist MSZP party governing as a minority.  Continue »

Budapest, May 5 (MTI) – Only 19 percent of working Hungarians
age 16-35 plan for the future, pollster Median found in a survey
conducted for retail bank OTP and made public on Monday.  Continue »

Budapest, May 5 (MTI) – Leader of the liberal Free Democrats
(SZDSZ) Janos Koka on Monday attended a meeting of its former
coalition partner Socialist party (MSZP)’s parliamentary group to
say thank-you for more than a decade of co-operation. Continue »

Budapesters
and tourists took to the streets last Thursday to bask in the sunshine and take
part in May Day celebrations all over town. Hundreds flocked to HĹ‘sök tere
(above) to dance, listen to music and enjoy the antics of jugglers and stilt
walkers. Even Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány and his wife turned up briefly
and tied ribbons onto the May pole. Continue »

Prime
Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány appointed seven new cabinet ministers last
Monday after delegates from junior coalition party the Alliance of Free Democrats
(SZDSZ) rubber-stamped a decision to quit the government. Continue »

The greater
the need to take action, the more the ostensibly governing Socialists seem to
be seeking salvation in doing nothing, whether as a result of fear,
helplessness or even defiance. The government seems to have gone on an
unannounced strike. The question, however, is why? Continue »

An inviting
summer terrace, good food and a historic building: those wishing to celebrate
the good weather in culinary style will feel at home in the Károlyi Restaurant,
housed in the Károly
Palace next to the Petőfi
Museum of Literature. Continue »

Renowned guitarist and former Dire Straits
frontman Mark Knopfler will play in Budapest
on Monday, 12 May as part of a tour to promote his latest solo work, last
year’s Kill to Get Crimson. Continue »