Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

22  INTRODUCING HUNGAR Y A POR TR AIT OF HUNGAR Y  23

austerity measures taken by Gyurcsány’s
government were nearly as unpopular
as his style. Finally, in 2009, Gyurcsány
resigned, and was replaced by his
economic minister, Gordon Bajnai. Despite
Bajnai’s relative economic successes, in the
subsequent elections of 2010, the Viktor
Orbán-led Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Alliance
– won with a landslide, taking two-thirds of
the seats in Parliament. Orbán used this
supermajority to change virtually all
aspects of life in Hungary, including the
country’s constitution, election and judicial
system. The Orbán government introduced
A market stall selling fresh and dried produce unconventional new taxes and economic
regulations, harshly criticized both in
Politics and Economics Hungary and internationally as probing the
The social dislocation inherent in some limits of democracy and as being a means A grape-picker with grapes ready for making into Tokaji wine
post-Soviet societies has been avoided of playing economic power into the hands
by an often shaky but relatively steady of loyal friends. But despite this, in 2014 food. With jobs becoming rare and hopes towns and villages owe everything to
consensus among the political parties as Fidesz again won all parliamentary, fading away, there is a growing and Budapest. The imperial majesty of the
to what Hungary needed in the wake of municipal and European Parliament unprecedented new tendency for capital is captivating but the rest of
Communism’s elections with a landslide, maintaining its Hungarians to leave the country. Hungary also has a wealth of history,
collapse. A top two-thirds majority in Parliament. But Hungary does have a long history of character and architecture to offer. Several
priority was Economically Hungary is in the doldrums, innovation and discovery, and boasts an ongoing projects and develop ment
membership in its dream of adopting the euro any time enviable list of world-class scientists, programmes – many co-founded by the
the EU, for even soon not even on the agenda. In 2014, engineers and inventors. Vitamin C, the EU – address this issue, and the Hungary
the former the average monthly net salary in Hungary biro, the safety match – not to mention outside of Budapest is developing fast.
Communists who was less than than 500 euros, while the world-renowned Rubik’s Cube – all Yet central Hungary, with Budapest at
initially opposed Hungary levies a world-record 27 per cent originated here. Hungarians continue to its heart, is still home to one third of the
the idea realized VAT on even basic commodities like tread new paths, and since 1989 Hungary population and produces nearly half of
that to remain has developed as a centre of scientific the country’s GDP.
outside Europe research; indeed, governments of all
Sunflowers, cultivated throughout would be ruinous political persuasions have promoted their
the Hungarian countryside both politically country as a knowledge-based economy.
and economically.
However, the economy was ailing and Modern Life
living standards started to deteriorate. In If modern Hungary has one drawback,
2006, a controversial speech given by the though, it is the dependence on the
newly re-elected Prime Minister Ferenc capital for everything. To borrow an old
Gyurcsány to his inner party circles was French expression about Paris, many
leaked. In it he admitted they had been people here believe that “when Budapest
lying about the state of the economy and sneezes, Hungary catches cold”. Although
what measures were to be taken after the the country’s geography and history may
elections, and riots broke out in the streets dictate in some ways that all roads lead
of Budapest. Although demanded by to Budapest, it is often frustrating when
many, even within his government the best way of travelling from one place
coalition, Gyurcsány did not resign. Soon to another is via the capital. Provincial
afterwards the global financial crisis hit Hungarians find it particularly galling and
Hungary’s already weak economy. The The ornate interior of a Budapest coffee house a constant reminder that their own cities, Outdoor dining at one of Szentendre’s restaurants

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