Despite the results of the March 9 referendum, a considerable proportion of the Hungarian population thinks reforms are necessary, even though they usually equate them with cutbacks, writes liberal daily Népszabadság, based on a poll conducted by Marketing Centrum.
On March 9, over 80% of the four million citizens who cast their ballots voted against the government’s reforms in health care and education, leading many to believe that talking about reforms will not be possible in the upcoming few years. Despite this, four months after the referendum, 40% of Hungarians think extensive reforms are needed. Some 47% believe state spending should be reduced, because that is the only way to reducing taxes and contributions and making Hungary competitive. The majority (66%) would also reform the tax system.
The responses above were given despite the fact that 80% of Hungarians agree or partly agree with the following statement: “Reforms are mentioned only when they want to take money out of people’s pockets.” Two years ago, when the Gyurcsány government began its second term, 44% said reforms mean modernization of the country, and only 30% were skeptical enough to say that reforms are nothing but austerity measures.
These opinions have changed since then, but not to the extent previously expected. Of respondents, 40% said that reforms are analogous with austerity measures, while 34% still believe they mean modernization of the country. Despite their lack of success, 20% would finish the reforms that have been started, and 58% would start different reforms.