It is by creating value and organising themselves that Hungarian communities can give the best response to Trianon, with a culturally strong, economically confident and prosperous Hungarian nation in every corner of the Carpathian Basin, János Csák, the minister for culture and innovation, said on Monday at a graduation ceremony in Targu Secuiesc (Kézdivásárhely), celebrating Hungary’s Day of National Cohesion.
Csák noted that the Hungarian government was wedded to the policy of creating a work-based society, and he said Szeklerland had proven itself capable of fostering a successful economy that has attracted foreign investments over the last 14 years, and for this to happen, he added, places were needed “where people want to come and study”.
The minister thanked the region’s political and ecclesiastical leaders for their cooperation, and he noted the manifold increase in the number of students studying at the local vocational school.
He referred to “world-class Hungarian dual training” as “vital knowledge platform in Szeklerland, noting that the Hungarian vocational training system ranks second among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries.
Meanwhile, Csák called Hungarians survivors of history, not its victims, but Hungarian survival in the future required “knowledge and self-organisation”.
“We have been here for 1,100 years, even longer … and we want to be here for another thousand years. For this to happen we must create value…” he added.
Hungary does not support Mark Rutte’s candidacy for NATO secretary general, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said on Monday, adding that as complete trust was an essential requirement in the alliance, and the Dutch leader had in the past talked about “bringing Hungary to its knees”.
At a press conference held in Tirgu Mures (Marosvásárhely), Szijjártó welcomed that Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, an “eastern candidate” for the post, had emerged.
He said much talk focused on strengthening the alliance’s eastern flank but “it doesn’t occur to anyone that if a threat is from the east, then the secretary general might also be from the east”.
The minister said that in NATO “you even have to die for each other, so it must be led by someone in whom we can trust 100 percent”.
He confirmed that he had a tough debate with his Lithuanian counterpart in Brussels earlier in the day. He insisted that Gabrielius Landsbergis was “one of the most pro-war politicians” among the EU foreign ministers. “No matter how much someone shouts at me … I still favour peace,” he said.
Many were surprised by the Hungarian Foreign Minister’s statement, because despite his minority (Saxon) origin, Iohannis did not defend the interests of Hungarians in Transylvania during his presidency. According to pro-government media Magyar Hírlap, in fact, according to the National Council for Combating Discrimination (CNCD), Klaus Iohannis insulted the human dignity of his fellow Hungarians when he mocked his Social Democratic political opponents by greeting them in Hungarian in 2020, accusing the party of selling out Transylvania.
In 2020, Hunor Kelemen, the President of the Hungarian Democratic Alliance of Romania (RMDSZ), called for Iohannis’s apology for his “hysterical, unworthy of a state president, reminiscent of the violent and dangerous policies of the Greater Romania Party.”
We have witnessed an unprecedented manifestation of misinformation and incitement to hatred against Hungarians from the microphone of the presidential palace in the last thirty years,” the RMDSZ president said.
While one candidate’s long-ago speech seems unforgivable for the Hungarian government, the other candidate’s outburst is acceptable.
read also: Romanian president fined by Romanian authorities because of anti-Hungarian hate speech – details HERE
Szijjarto highlights ‘exceptional significance’ of EP elections in Hungary, Romania
On Monday, the European parliamentary and municipal elections on June 9 “will be exceptionally important” both in Hungary and Romania, Szijjártó said in Tirgu Mures (Marosvásárhely).
The more MEPs Fidesz and the Hungarian Democratic Alliance of Romania (RMDSZ) have, “the stronger the voice of peace in Brussels will be”, he told a joint press conference with Hunor Kelemen, RMDSZ’s leader.
“Romania and Hungary have lived in the neighbourhood of war for two and a half years… It will not surprise us that we Hungarians want the swiftest possible peace.”
“We Hungarians don’t want to get involved in the war in the neighbourhood … we do not want a nuclear war,” he said.
Szijjártó noted that Hungary and Romania are scheduled to hold their European parliamentary and municipal elections on the same day. “On June 9 we will decide whether we want peace or war, and we will elect the officials to lead local communities,” he said.
Szijjarto said both Fidesz and RMDSZ supported peace and trusted that there would be as many pro-peace deputies in the EP as possible. He said the two parties have an interest in good Hungary-Romania cooperation and that “the stronger RMDSZ is in Romania, the easier it is to build good ties.”
“The stronger representation RMDSZ has in municipalities, the stronger the Hungarian communities will be, and the stronger they are, the stronger and more stable support they can provide for good cooperation between Hungary and Romania,” Szijjártó said, calling on ethnic Hungarian voters in Romania to support RMDSZ.
Szijjarto said he had pledged continued, close cooperation between the Hungarian government and RMDSZ, “in order to build further success stories in bilateral cooperation, especially in the economy. The government will work together with RMDSZ to promote Romania’s long-deserved Schengen entry,” he added.
As we wrote today, Hungarian businessman to own one of Romania’s largest telecoms companies, details HERE.
On Monday, Romanian Hungarian businessman Zoltán Teszári’s company will buy Telekom Romania, Digi Romania said.
According to the information published on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB), an agreement in principle has been reached to transfer 99.9999994 percent of Telekom Romania Mobile Communications SA shares to West Network Invest SRL.
West Network Invest is an investment company, mainly owned by Digi Romania.
The founder and majority owner of Digi Romania is Zoltán Teszári from Oradea (Nagyvárad). Digi is the largest telecommunications company in Romania, providing telephone and internet services and operating several television and radio channels. It also has interests in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Belgium.
According to Maszol.ro, although Teszári was ousted from the Top 10 of Forbes’ ranking of Romania’s richest in 2023, the businessman is the owner of a considerable fortune, recently estimated by Capital at €750-800 million and by Forbes at €380 million.
Economedia. ro reported that Telekom Romania will maintain its image after the change of ownership and continue to operate as an independent company on the market, provided the transaction is approved by the Competition Authority.
Telekom Romania
Telekom Romania Mobile Communications is majority-owned by the Greek Hellenic Telecommunications Organization. The company is the fourth largest player in the Romanian telecoms market, with around 4 million customers. In 2022, Telekom Romania closed the year with a loss of RON 558 million (€112 million) on revenues of RON 1.378 billion (€280 million).
As we wrote a few months ago, the Hungarian state parts with stakes in telco Yettel, details HERE.
As we wrote earlier, Antenna Hungaria, a unit of listed IT company 4iG, and state-owned Corvinus International Investment have closed the acquisition of Vodafone Hungary, details HERE.
The downward trend in Hungarian fuel prices seems to be breaking: from Friday, the price of diesel will rise by HUF 2. ATV’s newscast looked at how Hungarian fuel prices currently compare with those in neighbouring countries.
Fuel prices in Croatia vs Hungary
Ina gas station in Zadar, Croatia, 18 September, 2023. Photo: depositphotos.com
ATV’s crew went to Croatia first to find out how much it would cost to fill up with diesel on Thursday. They found that diesel fuel had become cheaper in the country a few days ago.
Taking into account the fact that the price of diesel in Hungary increased today and that the forint has recently appreciated, the difference between the Hungarian and Croatian diesel prices is HUF 70 (EUR 0.18).
This means that if you go to the border to refuel in a car with a larger capacity tank, you will save about HUF 5,000 (EUR 13).
Diesel prices in Slovenia and Romania vs Hungary
According to ATV, many of those who have diesel cars also cross the border to Slovenia to fill up, and they also do their shopping there.
The news portal writes that Slovenians are particularly happy to see Hungarians, as more cars mean more traffic, which means a big increase in revenue. One politician who spoke to ATV said that he also goes from Debrecen to Romania to refuel and shop. A full tank can save up to HUF 2-3000 (EUR 5.20-7.80).
Austria and Slovakia
Diesel prices in Austria and Slovakia are similar to those in Hungary.
You can purchase products made in Hungary for a much lower price in Romanian stores, for half or even a third of the price in Hungary. The reason is not too simple, as inflation in Romania is similar to that in Hungary, but for some, taking a trip to do their weekly or monthly shopping is still worth it.
Customers are willing to travel to spend less on groceries
According to Telex, Romania is also affected by inflation. Especially sugared products have become more expensive on the other side of the border, but they are still cheaper than in Hungary and the selection is wider. Many also claim that the quality of the products available in Romania is better. For example, many Hungarian customers specifically hunt for Hungarian products in the stores of a Romanian city close to the border, Nagykároly (Carei), because strangely, they are available to purchase for much cheaper, in some cases even for half the original price.
As the number of people intrigued by the promise of a good deal increased, a new Facebook group was created by Levente Lintényi, to collect information on the stores and prices. He states that today, it has 9000 members, growing rapidly, by 2000-3000 members a week. He wanted to help others who also wanted to save some money, as it is absurd that a product which is made 20 kilometres away from his hometown in Hungary is much cheaper to buy in Romania. For example, a sausage produced in Hungary costs RON 24.49 (EUR 4.92) in Romania. In Hungary, it would be HUF 4,389 (EUR 11.39).
Why are Romanian stores cheaper?
Photo: depositphotos.com
In Romania, the VAT levied on staple foods is only 9 percent, while in Hungary, it is 27 percent. Most customers do their shopping at the beginning of the month after they get paid, as Lintényi said, some of the members of the Facebook group summarise their savings in spreadsheets, or give each other advice to help in any way they can. Petrol is also cheaper in Romania, so the ones who refuel might save some more money.
Many people believe that the products sold in Romania are of better quality, although it used to be the other way around. It needs to be added that not everything is cheaper in Romania, although sales are more significant. Now, shopping lists include washing capsules, pasta, oil, meat, cider, flavoured beers, children’s snacks, fruits and vegetables, rice, and frozen pastries. Some even buy children’s clothes in Romania.
Other popular destinations in bordering countries
As we previously reported, it is not a new sensation for Hungarians who live close to the border to do their shopping in a neighbouring country. However, the number of people to do so in the last couple of months has increased, and Slovakia is becoming a popular destination as well. Hungarian customers have been willing to travel more to shop in a neighbouring country recently. Based on several reports, Komarno is becoming a favourite destination among customers even for those who live more than a hundred kilometres away from the Slovakian border.
This also means that these shops might take the revenue of the ones located in Hungary. Kaufland might be the biggest winner of these purchases, as it is one of the most popular ones, with the fact that the chain doesn’t operate a store in Hungary. Stores like Lidl and Tesco are also popular, even though their products are available in Hungary.
Read also:
Unstaffed shops in Hungary: Here is how we can shop in these hybrid stores – Read here
Approximately a million Hungarians are to get a new passenger terminal at a main Transylvanian airport. The development of Târgu Mures Airport will not only improve transport but will also lay the foundations for the economic development and prosperity of Mures County, said Ferenc Péter, President of the Mures County Municipality.
The airport is currently undergoing its biggest-ever investment of EUR 35 million from EU funds. The modernisation is a major milestone in the development of infrastructure and economic recovery in the Central Transylvanian region, turizmus.com reports.
What is being built at the Transylvanian airport?
Illustration. Photo: depositphotos.com
The project will include the construction of a new passenger terminal with a capacity for 1,000 people and the extension of the aircraft parking area. The latter is almost complete. In addition, a bus stop will be built on the main road in front of the airport and a roundabout will be created to facilitate access to the facility.
According to the county council, increasing the number of flights in Mures County is key to making the airport one of the “gateways” to Transylvania.
“EU funds have enabled us to launch investments in recent years that we could not have carried out on our own. If we had relied only on the local budget, we would not have a renovated Culture Palace, running water, modern roads and we would not be able to develop the airport to the same extent,” the statement quoted Ferenc Péter, President of the Mures County Assembly, as saying.
The renovated castle in Gilău (Gyalu) was inaugurated over the weekend and will now serve as a cultural centre. The Rákóczi-Bánffy castle near Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár) was renovated with EU funds and support from the Romanian and Hungarian governments.
History of the Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle in Gyalu/Gilău
The first written record of the castle dates back to 1439. Located 20 km from Cluj-Napoca, the 60-room square castle of Gyalu, with its four corner bastions, was owned by Countess Katinka Bánffy before nationalisation. Until 2002, it was used as an auxiliary school, and the Countess’s grandson, Tamás Barcsay, took possession of it after seven years, before the castle was bought from the Barcsay family by Hungarian businessman Elek Nagy ten years ago. Hundreds of guests were present at the opening ceremony of the Transylvanian castle, which is now in its former splendour.
Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle in Gyalu/Gilău. Photo: MTI
Renovation
The Romanian state secured EUR 5 million in EU funding for the renovation, but this proved insufficient, so the Hungarian state matched this with a grant of HUF 850 million (EUR 2,2 million).
The cultural centre has multifunctional event halls and plans include furnishing them and renovating the garden and castrum. The castle gardens will also host major events.
Elek Nagy, the founding president of the Transylvanian Traditions Foundation, recalled at the opening ceremony that ten years ago, the castle had almost fallen into disrepair, and he felt it was a mission worthy of his ancestors to save it for the benefit of the wider and narrower community.
Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle in Gyalu/Gilău. Photo: MTI
Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle in Gyalu/Gilău. Photo: MTI
Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle in Gyalu/Gilău. Photo: MTI
Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle in Gyalu/Gilău. Photo: MTI
Gelu Vasile Topan, mayor of Gilău, expressed his delight that the restored castle would put the village on the tourist map.
As we wrote yesterday, hundreds of thousands of Hungarians celebrated Pentecost in Csíksomlyó in 2024 – PHOTOS
Read also: Building of Hungarian university in Transylvania renovated – Beautiful PHOTOS
Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians gathered in the mountain range of Csíksomlyó in Transylvania’s Szeklerland, Central Romania. Apart from being a religious pilgrimage, Csíksomlyó means much more for the Hungarians: a place where all Hungarians can meet once every year to celebrate the religious holiday.
Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles of Jesus, but it means much more for many Hungarians. Hundreds of thousands of people go on a pilgrimage on this holiday to Csíksomlyó, one of the sacred places of the Carpathian Basin. Religious participants can get full absolution at the pilgrimage, but many non-Catholics also take part.
Photo: MTI
Csíksomlyó became a pilgrimage site in the 15th century, and the most important creation of the Pilgrimage Church was the statue of the Virgin Mary made between 1510 and 1515.
In 2024, László Felföldi, the bishop of Pécs, celebrated the Holy Mass, talking about the importance of making peace in ourselves and the world. He said there are “physical, spiritual” wars. He highlightedthat we need a renewal and strengthening of faith and love.
Photo: MTI
The pilgrims will start to travel home this afternoon.
Here is our photo report of this year’s pilgrimage and celebration in Csíksomlyó:
Pilgrims’ train to Csíksomlyó from Budapest. The Csíksomlyó Expressz and the Székely Gyors brings thousands there every year. Photo: MTI
Many participants arrive on horseback. Below, you may check out some photos of the participants of the 7th Márton Áron Equestrian Pilgrimage:
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
And on foot, behind crosses:
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
Large crowds listened to the mass of the bishop of Pécs in Csíksomlyó this year despite the bad, rainy weather:
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
Read also:
Why do hundreds of thousands of Hungarians go to Csíksomlyó on Pentecost? – Read more HERE
Shops are closed today and tomorrow in Hungary! Here are the exceptions – Details in THISarticle
Pentecost is a national holiday in Hungary, so most shops are closed today and tomorrow. We collected the exceptions and some other useful facts you should know about the national holiday.
Almost all shops close: here are the exceptions
According to Telex, on Sunday, several shops and retail chains are closed in Hungary due to the Pentecost celebrations. The long list of companies includes Aldi, Auchan, CBA, Coop, Lidl, Penny, Príma, Reál, Spar, and Tesco.
However, some stores will remain open even during the long weekend. Bars, tobacco shops and small stores run by their owners, round-the-clock retailers, fuel stations with their shops, news stands, florists, restaurants, clubs, and pharmacies on duty will remain open even on 19 and 20 May.
Furthermore, trains will commute following their holiday schedule on Sunday. On 20 May, they will carry passengers according to their Sunday timetable. As a result, if you booked a Hungarian hotel for the long weekend, you can get there by train. Based on szallas.hu, the Pentecost long weekend is almost as popular among holidaymakers as Easter in Hungary.
Good news: Budapest Danube embankments open for pedestrians again
Today and tomorrow, you can have an undisturbed walking tour on Budapest’s magnificent Pest side Danube embankment. Cars will be prohibited from using the section between the Margaret Bridge and the Elizabeth Bridge.
Below, you may find a map of the car-free zone in Budapest this weekend. Cars will be allowed to enter the green zone only from Tuesday dawn. Waste removal will continue even on Sunday and Monday.
Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians traditionally celebrate Pentecost in Csíksomlyó, Transylvania, Romania. Many members of the Hungarian community living in Romania go on a pilgrimage there, but hundreds of thousands of Hungarians living in Hungary, the Carpathian Basin and all over the world join them to celebrate.
That is how the Roman Catholic church’s birthday transforms into something unique and entirely Hungarian: a huge and spectacular gathering of more than a million Hungarians. Get a glimpse of how many people were yesterday in Csíksomlyó in the video below, and more will come tomorrow:
Here are two more photos:
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
Read also:
Exciting programmes for Pentecost in Hungary 2024 – Check out the details in THISarticle
Hungarian Pentecost folk traditions – Read more HERE
The horrific murder took place in 2021, but the Romanian perpetrator, 66-year-old Neculai Paizan, felt the jury convicting him for the murder was under the influence of drugs, so he submitted an appeal to the court against his conviction and sentence.
According to the Daily Mail, a British court sent him to jail with a minimum term of 22 years in July 2022 for brutally killing 20-year-old Ágnes Dóra Ákom, a Hungarian girl living in London.
“Paizan hit the petite Hungarian woman at least 20 times over the head with a jigsaw power tool during the assault on 9 May 2021, a trial at the Old Bailey previously heard”, the British daily wrote. Later, the Romanian predator buried her body in a grove.
The Romanian predator “dragged her through the mud”
Paizan wrote in his appeal that one of the jurors smelled of cannabis, the sentence did not consider his age and health problems, and he did not get a proper Romanian interpreter. However, the Court of Appeal refused his application against both his verdict and sentence.
Before, he falsely claimed the Hungarian woman tried to poison him and that she was working as a prostitute. Furthermore, he said he liked her “as a daughter”. In reality, he stored semi-naked photos of the Hungarian girl on his phone and tried to start a sexual relationship with her. The Hungarian girl denied that, and the judge believesthat is why the Romanian predator battered her to death.
Read also:
Dutch woman stabs partner to death in Budapest flat – crime scene photos, videos – Details in THISarticle
“Hungarians in north-western Romania are our strategic partners for the future,” the minister of construction and transport said in Oradea (Nagyvárad) on Thursday.
János Lázár said at a press conference held jointly with Romanian senator Attila Cseke, the head of the local chapter of the ethnic Hungarian RMDSZ party, that Prime Minister Viktor Orban planned to visit the region in early June and participate in its campaign ahead of the June 9 European parliamentary election.
He said the prime ministerial visit would demonstrate that “not only Transylvanian Hungarians but those in the Partium region can rely on the Hungarian government’s cooperation and support.”
János Lázár in the Fortress of Nagyvárad (Oradea). Photo: FB/Lázár
The minister said he would strive to put Romania’s Schengen accession high on the agenda of the upcoming Hungarian presidency of the European Union. “It is a high priority for us to eliminate the Schengen border between Hungary and Romania,” he said, adding that doing so would serve “social, economic, and national interests at the same time.”
Lázár is scheduled to attend an economic forum in the afternoon, focusing on opportunities for cooperation between areas on either side of the Hungarian-Romanian border.
Read also:
Devastating news: life expectancy at birth in Hungary low, Romania may soon precede Hungary – Read more HERE
It is good news that the life expectancy at birth grows everywhere in the European Union, and there are member states where it already exceeded 84 years. However, it increases in Hungary slower than in other countries. Therefore, Romania and probably even Bulgaria will soon precede Hungary, and we will remain at the end of the EU’s list.
Life expectancy at birth decreases in the East
Eurostat sharedthe preliminary data concerning life expectancy at birth in the European Union. The EU average is 81.5 years. But that is much lower in Hungary.
On the top of the list sits Switzerland – which is not an EU member state – with 84.8 years. In Spain, that age is 84.0. Italy, France, Sweden, and Norway are all above 83.
The life expectancy at birth starts to decrease if we travel to the East. In Germany, it is only 81.2, while in Poland, it fell to only 78.6. On the other end of the list, there is a group of countries from the CEE region.
People on a Budapest street. Living longer? Photo: Daily News Hungary
Will Bulgaria and Romania precede Hungary concerning life expectancy at birth?
Bulgaria has the lowest life expectancy at birth, with only 75.8, and Latvia follows that with 75.9. In Romania, that number is 76.6, while in Hungary 76.9.
Photo: FB/Vakmajom
Portfolio.hu wrote that provided the Romanian trend continues, our Eastern neighbour will precede us soon. That comes after the Romanian increase concerning life expectancy at birth grew by one year between 2019 and 2023. Meanwhile, that growth was only 0.4 years in Hungary.
Romanians proud of their country and traditions. Photo: depositphotos.com
Life expectancy at birth reflects the economic and social development level of a state and its citizens’ healthcare state, telex.hu wrote.
Read also:
Romanians now live better than Hungarians? – Read more HERE
Romania has already surpassed Hungary’s GDP, and new statistics indicate a worsening position for Hungary in the region. Factors such as wages, cost of living and inflation levels demonstrate Romania’s superior economic standing, raising significant questions as Hungary struggles to match the development of the other countries in the region.
Differences in wages in Romania and Hungary
According to portfolio.hu, Romania has overtaken Hungary in economic growth. As we previously reported, Eurostat data showed Romania’s GDP per capita surpassing Hungary’s in 2023. However, recent figures reveal that Romania’s consumption levels were also higher, driven by increased wages and faster economic expansion.
While comparing wages across different countries is challenging due to exchange rate fluctuations and pricing disparities, it’s evident that Poland boasts the highest wages in the region, with Romania showing the fastest expansion. Moreover, Romania’s consumption levels appear more stable than Hungary’s. Data suggests that Bulgaria’s consumption could soon reach Hungary’s level, reflecting its rapid development. Hungary’s low wage costs may attract companies seeking cheaper labour over higher education and added value, with the average wage cost standing at 13 euros per hour.
Ákos Péter Bod, the former governor of the Hungarian National Bank, recently authored an article for portfolio.hu, suggesting that Hungarians should abandon the notion of having a superior economy to Romania or other former socialist countries like the Czech Republic or Slovakia, as societal beliefs previously held. He states that Hungary lags behind these countries and its much more developed neighbour, Austria.
Below the region’s average, concerning numbers
Photo: depositphotos.com
Comparing the wages and the consumption of Hungary and Romania, it is clear that Hungary falls far below expectations considering its wage levels, possibly due to increased state intervention in the economy. In the last couple of years, Hungary’s investments have dominated its economy, and the government doesn’t seem to change its plan in this regard for the foreseeable future.
According to economx.hu, Hungary’s relative development declined between 2019 and 2023, despite surpassing Slovakia’s, Romania’s and even Poland’s economies in 2019. However, it failed to keep pace with others in the region, particularly in areas such as green energy and digitalisation, due to being more sensitive to external influences. Since 2022, Hungary’s economic performance has suffered, primarily due to inflation. The country has the highest food, petrol and service prices in the region relative to wages. While exports improved in 2023 due to electric battery production, investment levels decreased and national debt reached a regional high.
Based on these figures, it is clear that Hungary can’t keep up with the region’s average economic development, as the country’s relative expansion and productivity both dropped in recent years. According to the Hungarian National Bank’s latest report, urgent action is needed to bring Hungary up to the region’s standards, necessitating significant reforms.
UPDATE
According to labour market expert and research fellow of the Institute of Economy and Competitiveness of the National University of Public Service, Piroska Szalai, something is missing from the above analysis.
According to her article on Mandiner, Eurostat publishes annual average earnings data for all employees in enterprises with 10 or more employees. The survey excludes employees in agriculture, forestry and fishing, public administration, defence and compulsory social security, non-employees and employees in micro-enterprises with less than 10 employees.
In Hungary, two-fifths of the employed and one-fifth of the total population were covered only.
According to the 2023 figures, Hungary is in 24th place in euro terms for average income childless, followed by Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia. According to Szalai, a more accurate picture is obtained by comparing the data in purchasing power parity. Unfortunately, here only the 2022 data are the most recent available from Eurostat, so the data are calculated using this value. Thus, we can expect some changes in the data.
Currently, this calculation puts Hungary in 22nd place since 2019, with Estonia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Latvia and Slovakia following us in 2023. The order of the Member States changes from year to year. Estonia is now behind us, Romania is ahead. Bulgaria has moved up from penultimate place in 2022, swapping places with Latvia.
According to Szalai, it is important to point out that this 2023 figure is the sequence calculated with the 2022 purchasing power, “which is as accurate as the halfway point in a marathon”.
She adds that one in three Romanians is still poor. “While the rate in Romania has fallen slightly, but is still below the EU average, less than one in five Hungarians are at risk of poverty.”
Between 2010 and 2021, Hungary made the largest improvement among Member States in this area, and also saw the largest reduction in child poverty, as a result of increased employment and the increase in the purchasing power of earnings, not only for employees in large firms but also for all employees, she concluded.
Before, the Hungarian administrations regularly said their aim was to reach the economic development level of Austria. Hungarians supported that enthusiastically. In 2004, when Hungary joined the European Union, one of the main campaign slogans was that all Hungarians would be able to open a confectionery in Vienna. Instead, in the last 20 years, even Romania preceded Hungary.
Hungarians behind Romania, Croatia, Slovakia
Ákos Péter Bod, the former governor of the Hungarian National Bank between 1991 and 1994 and a chief economic advisor of PM Viktor Orbán in the 2000s, wrote an article to portfolio.hu with some serious claims about the problems of the Hungarian economy.
In his article, Mr Bod argued that Hungarian society thought about Hungary as a country more developed than Romania. The Hungarians accepted that the “capitalist” European countries like Austria are more developed than their country. The society even accepted that former Socialist countries like the Czech Republic or Slovenia are also on the brighter side of the European economy. However, they believed Hungary was more developed than Romania.
And that is when the 2023 GDP per capita was released and erased that reference point. The new data showed that Romania preceded Hungary according to the Eurostat. Croatia, Slovakia, Latvia, Greece, and Bulgaria remained behind Hungary.
Hungary’s economy in a bad position. Photo: Facebook.com/szijjarto.peter.official
Actual individual consumption per capita in Hungary is even worse
Mr Bod said it was hard to compare the two countries’ economies. The economy professor cites the so-called actual individual consumption per capita, a factor regularly used in international comparison. It shows the consumption level a country provides for its citizens. And Hungary was in very bad shape in that regard, even in 2022, the year when the Orbán government transferred lots of money to the people to win the elections. For example, they gave back the whole amount of the personal income tax to the families raising children. That meant thousands of euros extra for families where both parents work.
According to the data of the Eurostat, Hungary is among the Balkans countries in that regard. It precedes only Bulgaria in the European Union.
Romania’s advance is considerable: 86% of the EU average, while Hungary is at 71%. And Bulgaria is almost there, as well, with 69%. Croatia stands at 76%, with Slovakia at 77%.
Commemoration in Romania. Prouder and wealthier than Hungarians? Photo: FB/Klaus Iohannis
Hungary can reach only Romania’s level, but only in the 2030s
Among the reasons for Hungary’s lag, Bod mentions the large state. The Hungarian state centralizes 43% of the GDP, while that rate is only 33% in Romania. The Hungarian state’s intervention in the economy has expanded a lot lately. And the Ministry of National Economy does not want to change that. What’s more, the Hungarian government would like to increase state intervention concerning investments in the future.
The large state is a Hungarian speciality and not typical in our development category, Mr Bod concludes.
He also says that Hungarians should forget about reaching the Austrian development level. Instead, we should focus on reaching Romania. But we only have an opportunity to do so by 2030 at the earliest.
Beautiful Budapest where citizens are struggling to make a living? Photo: FB/Budavári Palotanegyed
Read also:
Surprising: Romania more developed than Hungary, and people may live better – read more HERE
Promoting the interests of the Hungarian minority in Romania requires that there should be Hungarians from Transylvania in the European Parliament, Hungary’s deputy PM Zsolt Semjén told a forum in Bors, in north-western Romania, late on Friday.
Semjén pointed to an expected high turnout of voters at the upcoming EP elections, and said “every Hungarian vote counts”. “If Transylvanian Hungarians cannot win a mandate in the EP, our interests will not be promoted and values protected so well,” he said.
He said it was crucial that an ethnic Hungarian deputy should speak up in the EP against an MEP of Romania’s “anti-Hungarian” AUR party, he said.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán“needs at least two deputies” delegated by the ethnic Hungarian RMDSZ party “to better enforce the interests of the Hungarian nation,” Semjén said.
The Hungarian government will provide Transylvania Hungarians and RMDSZ with every assistance; “we have always relied on you and you can always rely on us,” he said.
Read also:
Building of Hungarian university in Transylvania renovated – Details and PHOTOS in THISarticle
The Hungarian Sapientia University of Transylvania is crucial in terms of the survival of the Hungarian nation, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén said, addressing the inauguration of the institution’s renovated building in Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár), in north-western Romania, on Friday.
The renewed Sapientia University building in Transylvania. Photo: MTI/Kiss Gábor
In his speech, Semjénexpressed his congratulations and thanks for the renovation that was supported by the Hungarian government.
He said the Sapientia University was one of “several of the Hungarian government’s successful projects”, but stood out as a “force for the preservation of the nation”. He said the university had a presence from Szekler Land to Cluj-Napoca, “bringing life” to those places and “uniting all of Transylvania”.
Hungarian university in Transylvania
The renewed Sapientia University building. Photo: MTI/Kiss Gábor
The deputy PM said the Sapientia University was key for the nation’s survival because it offered a competitive education, thereby guaranteeing that ethnic Hungarians in Transylvania are able to make a living. He said it was also important for there to be a uniform Hungarian academic language in the Carpathian Basin.
The university, Semjén said, also served the objectives of the government’s policy for Hungarians abroad. Whereas Hungarian kindergartens formed the base of the Hungarian “education pyramid”, the Sapientia University formed the top, he said, adding that the “full Hungarian-language education pyramid” was in place in Transylvania.
The renewed Sapientia University building in Transylvania. Photo: MTI/Kiss Gábor
Semjén also said that attending the Sapientia University offered “a unique kind of solidarity”.
The university building’s renovation cost around HUF 474 million (EUR 1.2 million).
The Hungarian budget airline is grappling with issues surrounding the Pratt & Whitney engines powering its Airbus A320neo fleet. However, a Ukrainian carrier appears to be helping the struggling Hungarian carrier, potentially averting a disadvantaged position in the turbulent market.
According to airportal.hu, Wizz Air is set to lease three Boeing 737 aircraft, complete with crew, until next March to service multiple routes for its passengers. The lessor, Ukrainian airline Sky Up Airlines, has been operating under Maltese permissions since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Leasing the new planes will cost Wizz Air an arm and a leg
Operating under a wet-lease/ACMI leasing arrangement (covering aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance), the contract spans from 1st April to 31st March of the following year. Two of the aircraft will be stationed at the Bucharest-Otopeni base, with the third stationed at Warsaw-Chopin.
Previously, we reported on Wizz Air’s grounding of 20% of its fleet due to issues with Pratt & Whitney engines, with an average maintenance duration of 300 days. Wizz Air has announced its expectation to receive 30 new Airbus A321neo aircraft by 31st March and has extended the leasing agreements for 13 other aircraft. Additionally, three more aircraft will be leased under a dry-lease arrangement (excluding crew). Despite these efforts, the airline has had to suspend several Romanian routes due to capacity constraints.
Photo: depositphotos.com
ACMI leasing is the most expensive option in the market, yet Wizz Air anticipates compensation for the damage sustained by the Pratt & Whitney engines.
Green fuel until 2030
According to airportal.hu, Wizz Air has outlined plans to operate 10% of its flights using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by the end of the decade. Partnering in this endeavour is British company Firefly, which has received a £5 million investment for biofuel development.
Photo: FB/Wizz Air
Based on the company’s announcement, their carbon dioxide emissions were 6.8% lower in 2023 compared to 2022.
Currently, Wizz Air operates 207 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, servicing 60.3 million passengers from January to December 2023.
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Oradea, 19-20 June 2024: UNCHAIN Fintech Festival, the renowned global financial services and innovation festival, proudly announces the launch of its highly anticipated Fintech Startups Tournament. Set within the vibrant atmosphere of Oradea’s historic fortress, UNCHAIN serves as a dynamic hub for CEE’s burgeoning growth market and the forefront of global tech development. In this sociable and enjoyable environment, UNCHAIN fosters meaningful connections and pushes the boundaries of financial innovation.
The Prestigious CEE Fintech Oscars: Recognizing Excellence in Innovation
Unchain Fintech Festival 2023 in Oradea, Romania.
The Startups Tournament, a key component of the UNCHAIN Festival, is designed to spotlight the most promising tech startups. Founders across the CEE are invited to showcase their projects and vie for recognition, support, and investment in an atmosphere buzzing with creativity and collaboration.
“As a global centre of tech development and a hub for innovation, UNCHAIN Festival is the perfect platform for startups to showcase their innovative solutions and connect with industry leaders, investors, and enthusiasts,” said Alexandra Pollack, CEO & Co-founder of UNCHAIN Festival. “We’re excited to provide startups with an opportunity to shine on stage and accelerate their growth in this dynamic ecosystem.“
The Startups Tournament invites early-stage startups with tech solutions that demonstrate significant potential for impact and scalability. Selected finalists will have the chance to pitch their projects live to a distinguished panel of judges comprising industry experts, investors, and thought leaders.
In addition to exposure and networking opportunities, participants will compete for a range of prizes, including mentorship from industry veterans, access to investor networks, and complimentary exhibition space at future UNCHAIN events.
Welcoming back the winners of previous editions
Source: Facebook/Unchain Fintech Festival
“We were honoured to be the winners of the first edition, and I believe that UNCHAIN had an incredible energy. Everyone was attending the festival in Oradea for the first time and felt the responsibility of shaping something outstanding, building the DNA of the festival. Some great investment conversations came out from my time in Oradea, and fintech explorations with the likes of Visa. Such ecosystems in CEE are hugely needed.”, Maria Tanjala, FilmChain Co-founder, the winner of the 1st UNCHAIN Startups Tournament.
“By being on stage a lot of investors and banks come to talk to us. We had great conversations and that was extremely valuable. We’ve learnt a lot, which added a lot of value to who we are and how we’ve grown. What I love about UNCHAIN it’s that it is not a 4000 people event, it’s a very curated event of very important people from the industry. It’s almost like a handpicked selection on who is who in the region for the fintech vertical and you don’t have many events like this which create that impact.”, Rohit Bhosale, Synapze CEO`s, the winner of the 2nd UNCHAIN Startups Tournament.
Application Deadline: May 31st – Don’t Miss Out!
Entrepreneurs eager to participate in the competition are encouraged to submit their applications online through the official UNCHAIN Festival website >> https://unchainfestival.com/startups/. Registrations are available until May 31st, but act swiftly, as applications are reviewed and chosen following each submission.
UNCHAIN Festival, renowned for its engaging panels, insightful keynotes, and vibrant networking opportunities, will take place on 19-20 June 2024 at Oradea’s fortress, Romania. For more information about the Startups Tournament and the UNCHAIN Festival, including ticketing and sponsorship opportunities, visit the event website >> www.unchainfestival.com
UNCHAIN on CEE tour: explore innovation across the region
Unchain Startups Tournament
Preceding the summer festival, a series of online events, the Demo Days, will bring an even closer spotlight on the disrupting potential the region has to uncover.
The Demo Days will serve as a precursor to the main event, offering a platform for startups and innovators to showcase their groundbreaking ideas and technologies to a global audience. Through engaging presentations, live demonstrations, and interactive Q&A sessions, participants will have the opportunity to highlight the transformative impact of their projects and gain valuable feedback from industry experts and potential investors.
