Main opposition party Fidesz has offered to cooperate with the country’s minority Socialist government on certain economic issues.
According to napi.hu, Party chairman Viktor Orbán said Fidesz is cooperating with the government to pass 25 to 30 measures over the coming months aimed at saving jobs in the hard-hit construction industry.
Former Economy Minister György Matolcsy listed five proposals by company leaders which are supported by Fidesz. These include the speeding up of evaluations for EU tenders, reducing the 10% guarantee fund to 2-3%, raising the 10% advances which can be given on EU tenders to 40%, buying receivables to minimize “chain debts,” and amending the bankruptcy law so that construction companies in trouble have an opportunity to reorganize rather than face liquidation.
The government has already acted upon the third proposal. On December 10, a decision was made that a 40% advance will be paid on approved EU tenders within 15 days after signing the contract.
Meanwhile, on Thursday Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány said he was pleased that Fidesz had decided to support the government’s efforts to see that the European Union’s position on climate change does not harm Hungarian industry.