According to Tibor Navracsics, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration and Justice, new institutional frameworks have been created, many far-reaching reforms have been launched and Hungary’s system of checks and balances is operating effectively.

In an interview with Hungarian daily Népszabadság, Mr. Navracsics said that Hungary has been hit by a triple crisis: the deep economic crisis of 2005/2006, which led to an enormous budget deficit in 2006; a crisis of political legitimacy in the autumn of 2006, following broadcast of Ferenc Gyurcsány’s infamous ‘Balatonőszöd speech’; and an institutional crisis from 2008 onwards under Gyurcsány’s minority socialist administration and the subsequent technocratic caretaker government of Gordon Bajnai. Following the Fidesz election victory of 2010, therefore, the creation of a new system of governance was needed to put an end to Hungary’s institutional crisis; the Deputy Prime Minister said that this system is working well.

Mr. Navracsics said that Hungary has adopted its strictest ever fiscal policy. Hungary’s budget deficit hit record levels under recent socialist governments, during which time the country became deeply indebted, leading to an unsustainable economic situation. Without the debt inherited from the socialists, Hungary would not now be running a deficit.

Mr. Navracsics said that a number of radical policy reforms have been launched, including the flat-rate tax system.

He also said that the Hungarian government had requested that the Venice Commission comment on a number of laws. In mid-June, prior to release of the Commission’s report, a discussion will take place in which the Hungarian government will be represented by Minister of State for Justice, Róbert Répássy. Professional and policy issues will be in focus, not questions of principle related to democracy.

(kormany.hu)