Positive prospects? This is what Hungary could look like in 2030
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The Equilibrium Institute (Egyensúly Intézet), Hungary’s independent think-tank, organised a conference entitled “Hungary 2030”. Among other issues, they discussed Hungarian policy, the future of the economy, energy policy and digital infrastructure.
A place for public policy in Hungary
The opening speech was given by Tamás Boros, Director of the Institute, Index reports. It was followed by speeches by Tibor Navracsics, Minister for the Use of EU Funds and Spatial Development, and Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest. The event was attended by embassy staff from more than thirty countries and more than eighty business leaders.
Mr Boros stressed that they at the Institute believe that “there is a place for public policy alongside power politics, and there is a chance for political and professional dialogue in Hungary alongside power competition”.
“International champions”
Tamás Boros also pointed out that international champions play an important role in strengthening the Hungarian economy. International champions are those Hungarian, privately-owned companies that are able to strengthen their position in a competitive environment abroad. In some cases, they can become regional market leaders.
“Hungary cannot permanently break out of the middle-income trap if it does not have many of these international champions,” the analyst pointed out. He added that 64 of the 500 largest Central and Eastern European companies are Hungarian.
Energy and climate-focused transition
On the energy transition, Tamás Boros said, “[t]here are few issues more complex than energy policy. It is often simplified into political slogans, but it is also a security policy, security of supply, sovereignty, climate policy and social policy issue.”
He also stressed that the cheapest energy is energy that is not consumed. Thus, we need to talk not only about where we get our energy from, but also about how to consume less. In his view, it is inevitable that an iron curtain will once again descend on Europe: an energy iron curtain. On digitalisation, Mr Boros said that the country is doing well, especially in terms of digital infrastructure, internet access and internet speed.
This guy talks about “climate” and “energy” “transitions” but then mentions the happiness index. Buddy, making people colder and poorer, making meant and dairy out of their financial reach, forcing them to eat dried bugs instead, pricing them out of being able to take a flight to a vacation destination, etc. is guaranteed to NOT increase the happiness index. Agenda 2030 may be salivated over by Uncle Klaus, Billy Gates, ol’ Gyorgy, etc. who will fully continue pumping out more CO2 than many medium-sized countries (what with their private jets and yachts and sumptuous steak-and-lobster dinners), but regular Joe will be out on the streets rioting.