February 2nd, 2009
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Gyurcsány says forint’s plunge increases need for speedier euro introduction

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Hungary’s Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany on Sunday voiced strong concern over the forint trading at around 300 against the euro.

Speaking at a press conference after an extraordinary session of the government in Budapest, Gyurcsany said that Hungary needed a credible roadmap for the introduction of the euro and it could be worked out by September 30.

He added that Hungary needed an economic and social programme which could lead to the adoption of the euro, instead of simply setting a target date.

“I support the quickest possible but achievable and credible roadmap,” the prime minister added.

Gyurcsany said the government and the opposition in Slovenia had managed to agree on a programme to introduce the euro and they put an end to competing against each other when it came to making social promises. “For the time being, this is only a hope for Hungary,” he added.

“If everybody just wants to be popular with the public, we will never have the euro,” Gyurcsany said. If politicians cannot say no to demands that cannot be financed then Hungary will never have the euro, he added. “The euro will grow out of self-control, not from simple and shallow political will,” Gyurcsany said.

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  1. Ricsi says:
    February 2, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    Before he said No,lets wait,now he desperately says Yes !
    Blind leading the blind.The Euro is not salvation especially with the upcoming PIGS problem.

  2. sheesh says:
    February 2, 2009 at 10:07 pm

    Does he seriously think he can talk up the forint by blowing hot air? Sheesh!

  3. Dubious says:
    February 3, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    “If everybody just wants to be popular with the public, we will never have the euro,” Gyurcsany said.

    He managed the unpopularity part, but not the Euro part.