Comments for Realdeal.hu

Comment on Hungary gov’t queries legality of EU fund freeze by oneill

oneill — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:53:07 +0000

As already pointed out, they shouldn’t have stolen the private pensions…

I think an example is being made and the Orban Regime have only themselves to blame for it- arrogance and deceit mixed with rank incompetence is a toxic mixture and to think that it can be hidden from their EU Overlord Paymasters in the modern 24/7 media age was plain, well arrogantly incompetent.

Comment on Gov’t to cut subsidies for drugs, Budapest public transport to meet deficit target by wolfi

wolfi — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:21:38 +0000

“reducing state subsidies for medications this year”

Maybe now people will wake up and see how Fidesz is stealing from the poor to give to the rich …

Already my mostly elderly neighbours are complaining about the skyrocketing prices for their drugs. Because of their typical unhealthy Hungarian lifestyle many are diabetics, have high blood presure and problems from being overweight or even obese, so they spend a lot on medicine and medical services . it’s a sad story …

Comment on Hungary gov’t queries legality of EU fund freeze by Seems likely

Seems likely — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:16:45 +0000

Regardless of who’s right on this issue, the two years of Viktor’s reign has been a descent into chaos. Austerity is coming and the political future of Viktor and the Viktorettes is dimming rapidly. They have to keep spinning all the various fires so that their core supporters will continue to support them. It’s pretty clear that not only is Viktor and his henchmen in trouble but they are taking Hungary with them.

Comment on Hungary gov’t queries legality of EU fund freeze by Erik D'Amato

Erik D'Amato — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:15:10 +0000

Actually I don’t think the gap would have been more than around 7% of GDP, but yes, the one-time things aren’t likely to have fooled anyone.

Comment on Hungary gov’t queries legality of EU fund freeze by Scott

Scott — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:57:55 +0000

Who are they trying to kid? Doesn’t the Hungarian government realise that they can’t pull the wool over the eyes of the whole EU, despite being able to do just that in Hungary. The fact is that Hungary’s deficit last year only came in under 3% because the government sequestered about 9% of GDP’s worth of money from private pension schemes. Without that, the deficit would have been over 10%, which is more than 3 times the target of 3%.

Comment on EC proposes unprecedented freeze in funding for Hungary over fiscal gap; could result in EUR 495 million “hole” in 2013 budget by Scott

Scott — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:53:39 +0000

In simple terms – the Hungarian government is spending too much! Any householder knows that if you keep on spending more than your earn then you are going to run into trouble at some point. It seems that no Hungarian government during the past few years has understood this basic reality. Scrabbling for extra income is fine as a short-term measure, but there is no way around reducing spending in order to solve the problem in the long term.

Comment on Gov’t to cut subsidies for drugs, Budapest public transport to meet deficit target by Seems likely

Seems likely — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:22:01 +0000

I think this is the beginning of the end for Viktor and the Viktorettes. Austerity programs are never popular (see Greece) and the government will pay the price. They have the power to do it. I just wonder if they have the gonads. The whole two years of Viktor’s reign has been a decent into chaos. From every angle, the country is in decline. It was bad enough before the people choose Viktor and his henchmen and now, as is fitting in a democracy, the entire country is poised to pay the price for the authoritarian and amateurish rule. I feel bad for my Hungarian friends and loved ones.

Comment on Gross wages rise 10.1% in December, average monthly net salary HUF 152,000 by wolfi

wolfi — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:14:58 +0000

In my first statistics course our prof gave an example:

In a little village all 999 inhabitants have an income of 100 000 Forints and the millionaire who just built his redidence there has 100 000 000 Forints …

So the average income now is 199 900 Forints …

Tony is one hundred percent correct …

Comment on EC proposes unprecedented freeze in funding for Hungary over fiscal gap; could result in EUR 495 million “hole” in 2013 budget by tHe_WoRd

tHe_WoRd — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:06:37 +0000

This could actually prove to be a great opportunity for Hungary that the current government should not pass up. Hot heads should prevail, and the government should tell the EU/ IMF where to go. The result could be a boom for Hungary. It would then have the historical chance of a lifetime, and could beg either Russia or North Korea to link up economically with the Magyar economic tiger and take on the rest of the world.

Comment on EC proposes unprecedented freeze in funding for Hungary over fiscal gap; could result in EUR 495 million “hole” in 2013 budget by lol

lol — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:00:56 +0000

Just wait for Viktor to cry about imperial wolves again.
If magyar folk falls for this again, they deserve such a traitor as a ruler. He’ll just get his green light…

Comment on Gross wages rise 10.1% in December, average monthly net salary HUF 152,000 by Tony Manero

Tony Manero — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:20:12 +0000

In such matters, median figures would be much more representative than averages. Lies, damned lies…

Comment on Hungary employment falls 1.2% year over year in December by Democrat

Democrat — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:25:52 +0000

Buried somewhere in MTI’s usual uninteligible reporting style is the news that the Government, far from creating 100,000 jobs a year, have overseen a reduction of jobs. A basic policy failure. Did MTI ask for and report a comment on the news from the relevant ministry?….of course not.

Comment on Gov’t to cut subsidies for drugs, Budapest public transport to meet deficit target by Democrat

Democrat — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:17:52 +0000

The fee, when it was in place, raised money and service levels by reducing doctor visits. It also cut the number of prescriptions and thereby the cost of subsidies. It was generally liked by the doctors except for the requirement that they collect the fee in cash (why not pay the way one does for bus tickets?). So what did FIDESZ do with the scheme?….got rid of it of course just like they got rid of compulsory chamber membership and higher education fees. Not a brain cell between them.

Comment on Gross wages rise 10.1% in December, average monthly net salary HUF 152,000 by Simdawg

Simdawg — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:43 +0000

How reliable is KSG info?
I know a great deal of Hungarians who work in the public and private sector and I can safely say that the majority are not earning “average gross monthly wages of HUF 231,826″.
Or are my friends just poor?

Comment on Gov’t to cut subsidies for drugs, Budapest public transport to meet deficit target by Abácsi

Abácsi — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:45:54 +0000

How about introducing a nominal doctor visit fee of, say, 300ft? That may help!
As Democrat points out, it is ongoing expenditure that is the structural problem they have either no wish or no idea how to manage. They could do with an economist or two in the government.

Comment on Gov’t to launch new consultative forum with private sector by Seems likely

Seems likely — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:36:42 +0000

From the headline one could think that this is a brand new Viktorette brain child. Of course, it’s not. It’s the rebirth of a organization that was disbanded last year. I’m all for giving credit where credit is due and the governing crowd needs all the credit it can get but let’s also tell the truth.

Comment on Gov’t to launch new consultative forum with private sector by Erik D'Amato

Erik D'Amato — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:27:16 +0000

Plus one!

Comment on Gov’t to launch new consultative forum with private sector by oneill

oneill — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:47:00 +0000

No doubt they will make it compulsory and charge a tax for “joining”.

Comment on Gov’t to cut subsidies for drugs, Budapest public transport to meet deficit target by Democrat

Democrat — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:04:22 +0000

These guys really have no idea. They have been in power for two years and they give the experts a week to work on cutting dug subsidies!! Freezing funds for asset purchases is also an interesting move. The key issue at the moment is to cut ongoing expenditure. Cutting asset purchases (which is really just a deferral of expense) suggests that the govt is running out of cash. Supported by the recent announcement that tax refunds will be given in Govt securities rather than cash. At the end of last year sume suppliers were told that their payments would be delayed. There is a problem brewing here.

Comment on Lawyer launches constitutional appeal against insane mandatory chamber membership fees by Erik D'Amato

Erik D'Amato — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:03:36 +0000

Both! Annul the annual fees

Comment on Lawyer launches constitutional appeal against insane mandatory chamber membership fees by Typo Timothy

Typo Timothy — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:35:19 +0000

Annual or annul?

Comment on EU mulls proposal to freeze Hungary cohesion funds over excessive deficit by Abácsi

Abácsi — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:29:07 +0000

Any country that levies ridiculous anti-business taxes and grabs private pensions can reduce FOR ONE YEAR its deficit. And, according to Eurostat, Hungary’s 2011 GDP growth was 1.4% against an EU average of 1.6%
You are right about a pitiful bunch of arrogant, childish, revenge seeking, power hungry, vain persons but do you not mean our own government?

Comment on Credit Agricole Bank shuts down Hungary branches by Optimista

Optimista — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:25:48 +0000

Not such a bad thing for local agriculture when the French door closes and a Russian one opens.

Comment on Parliament defers final vote on tobacco sales monopoly until EU decision by Abácsi

Abácsi — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:19:31 +0000

Generally speaking, state monopolies are not a good idea. The notion that the state can somehow run business better than businesses is a nonsense. Again, it seems to be anti foreign devils and their sinful hypermarkets and pro some friends who will get to manage such a monopoly.

Comment on Ministry says EU doubts about new food, recreation vouchers unfounded by Seems likely

Seems likely — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:40:40 +0000

Let’s face it, the EU is just plain stupid. Makes you wonder just how smart it was for Hungary to join their club.

Comment on EU mulls proposal to freeze Hungary cohesion funds over excessive deficit by j

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:43:36 +0000

This again clearly shows the EU’s double standards and negative attitude towards the Hungarian government. Now, when Hungary managed to keep its yearly deficit under 3% for the first time and that our growth is above the average of the EU they thought it is the right time to threaten Hungary with sanctions. The EU’s leadership is a pitiful bunch of arrogant, childish, revenge seeking, power hungry, vain persons.

Comment on Ministry says EU doubts about new food, recreation vouchers unfounded by Democrat

Democrat — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:33:28 +0000

The issue is that the EU does not understand that it is Government policy to nationalise things and freeze out multinationals wherever possible. And of course if you don’t understand that you will have “incomprehensible and unwarranted” concerns. The EU really does need to work on understanding what we are trying to achieve here.

Comment on Danubius Hotels deeper in red as financial losses grow by wolfi

wolfi — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:20:34 +0000

Aloof, that list of companies doesn’t mean much – who’s behind all this ? That’s what I’d like to know.

Comment on Russia’s Sberbank said to have big plans for newly acquired Magyarországi Volksbank by Ricsi

Ricsi — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:16:16 +0000

Wolfi@ Please READ the article before writing dribble as usual-it clerly states that they bought all the group and that it is agreed that they will use the Volksbank name only for 12 months and then will rebrand. Jesus!!

Comment on Danubius Hotels deeper in red as financial losses grow by Aloof

Aloof — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:19:47 +0000

wolfi,

Appears Danubius is owned by a consortium of companies.

. Intertag Holdings Zrt., 2.34M shares, 29% stake, 30.7% votig rights.
. CP Holdings LTD., 1.48M shares, 17.9% stakes, 18.7% voting rights
. British empire Securities/ General Trust., 521K shares, 6.29% stake, 6.59% voting rights
. Israel Tractors and Equipment LTD., 507K shares, 6.12% stake, 6.41% voting rights

Comment on EU confirms probe ongoing into Hungarian voucher system by Seems likely

Seems likely — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:50:58 +0000

The Viktorettes are sure to blame it all on the Socialists. It has to be their fault. Just has to be.

Comment on EU confirms probe ongoing into Hungarian voucher system by Democrat

Democrat — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:18:33 +0000

And how long before we are told that there is no problem with the scheme because there is one just like it in Lithuania?

Comment on EU confirms probe ongoing into Hungarian voucher system by oneill

oneill — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:06:12 +0000

It would also have been quite useful if the regime had tried to ensure that the system was up and running first before all the OTT advertising. Most places not only don’t have the necessary administration set-up in place but are not even sure if they are participating (or will be allow to participate) in it and we already are halfway through February.
Bombast and PR overules basic competence yet adain

Comment on EU confirms probe ongoing into Hungarian voucher system by indeed

indeed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:25:10 +0000

In my previous company they are now paid 20% in food vouchers that they can not use wherever they want. It’s so damned f up.

Comment on EU confirms probe ongoing into Hungarian voucher system by Peter

Peter — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:12:55 +0000

Further to whole nonesense NEW voucher system, shop floor workers, factory workers and lower end earners are also given an OTP restaurant and wellness card worth @ 8000 Huf a month and they can only spend this credit at specific places, i.e Hungarian restaurants and wellness centres. Majority of earners in this catagory do not normally go to restaurants and what this does is forces them to frequent Hiungarian restaurants with the aim of supporting and stimulating the local restaurant business, being able to spend this money on groceries and basic services is more important. Their fundamental right to determione how they spend their money has been taken away, should this not also be highlighted to the EU commission

Comment on Danubius Hotels deeper in red as financial losses grow by wolfi

wolfi — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:00:39 +0000

Thanks, Aloof!

But I was really looking for inside info on this CP holdings company – is Danubius now really owned by an English family company ? What is the rationale behind that ? How does this affect tourism in Hungary ?

Comment on Danubius Hotels deeper in red as financial losses grow by Aloof

Aloof — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:35:32 +0000

http://www.danubiushotels.com/en/corporate_information/investments

Comment on Russia’s Sberbank said to have big plans for newly acquired Magyarországi Volksbank by wolfi

wolfi — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:07:49 +0000

This is a bit misleading or at lest incomplete.
-http://www.vbi.at/UEberblick.1080.0.html?&L=1
“Today, Vienna-based Volksbank International AG (VBI), which is owned by SBERBANK since February 15, 2012, manages a successful Bank Network in 8 Central and Eastern European countries: Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina (VB BH, VB Banja Luka), Serbia and, since January 2007, the Ukraine.”

So the whole group was sold – they should not be allowed to use the name Volksbank anymore …

The Volksbanken in Germany are owned by their customers – i am one of them …

Comment on Russia’s Sberbank said to have big plans for newly acquired Magyarországi Volksbank by Forintman

Forintman — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:19:30 +0000

Looking for effective Russian investments, just like in Malev. I’ll be sure to open and account and put my money in!!! Or maybe I’ll just help a Nigerian friend that sent me an email today about his terminal illness.

Comment on Gov’t commissioner proposes parliament probe into Malév privatization by oneill

oneill — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:17:11 +0000

“Budai, who is government commissioner in charge of holding public servants to account”

Should read:

“Budai, who is Orban’s commissioner in charge of holding non-Fidesz public servants to account”

Wonder how his Esztergom investigation is progressing?!

Comment on Budapest mayor “cautiously optimistic” after BKV talks with gov’t by Well, well, well

Well, well, well — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:06:01 +0000

Even Viktor Orban is not fool enough to let BKV go belly up. Can you imagine what that would do to the Hungarian economy. This whole thing is a carefully orchestrated play.

Comment on OTP Bank deputy CEO says Hungarian banks’ corporate lending stock could fall 5-6% in 2012 as financing big projects “practically impossible” by Democrat

Democrat — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:14:45 +0000

Yea, yea, blame it on the rating angecies and the Eurozone. This is a Hungarian problem. Who would want to invest when the government can change tack at the drop of a hat, when there is evidence that contracts are not certain here, when talent is flooding out of the country?

Comment on Danubius Hotels deeper in red as financial losses grow by wolfi

wolfi — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:10:19 +0000

What is the ownership of the Danubius group – anybody knows about that ?

Comment on Gov’t commissioner proposes parliament probe into Malév privatization by Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:20:28 +0000

Although I would contend that a ten member team is overkill, this is surely a good chance for a multi-party team to demonstrate that they can work together and get to the bottom of this muddy mess. But then we have passed-up good chances before.

Comment on Gov’t expects more tug-of-war with EU over Central Bank head’s salary, says deputy PM by Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:17:40 +0000

“…the possibility of continued employment for judges over 62 in certain cases” I think that they still have not got the message. The issue is about the enforced retirement of a huge number of judges to be replaced upon the decision of a single person whose independence is seriously questionable and whose appointment is guaranteed for 9 years. Hopefully the EU will see “in certain cases” for exactly what it is.

Comment on Hungary government sees IMF/EU talks begin in March by Well, well, well

Well, well, well — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:46:54 +0000

Key in our mind is not the size of the programme, but the level of conditionality which needs to be sufficiently strong that the Orban administration has little room to go off-programme”.

It seems that the IMF may have a problem with duplicity in the Orban Administration. Viktor makes friends where ever he goes.

Comment on Multinationals increasingly choosing Slovakia over Hungary for regional centers, CBRE says by Canceled Company in Hungary

Canceled Company in Hungary — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:51:36 +0000

Came very close to opening up a company in Hungary, but canceled in light of recent events. Businesses like free, stable environments, but Hungary has neither. So disappointing. What has happened to Hungary breaks my heart.

Comment on Multinationals increasingly choosing Slovakia over Hungary for regional centers, CBRE says by Phil Lemercier

Phil Lemercier — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:29:04 +0000

Very clever analysis.
It is unbelievable how Hungary has moved in the wrong direction since 1989. I hope that in the next decade, some progress can be made. Unfortunately, the current government has made the situation even more difficult than before, so I just may hope that some competent people will raise to the opportunity.

Comment on Multinationals increasingly choosing Slovakia over Hungary for regional centers, CBRE says by Vidra

Vidra — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:33:11 +0000

Your analysis is right except there simply wasn’t any alternative to FIDESZ as far as most voters were concerned. MSZP, the former government, had far more bright ministers but they didn’t have the guts to put the economy back on track (too many vested interests at stake); FIDESZ has certainly got the balls but lacks the brains, as the country only found out afterwards. The real problem is that these days smart, honest Hungarians go into business and the ones who aren’t both (or are neither) go into politics. And that’s going to take another 10-20 years to fix.

Comment on Multinationals increasingly choosing Slovakia over Hungary for regional centers, CBRE says by The_WoRd

The_WoRd — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:20:11 +0000

As Bill Clinton’s campaign aide James Carville opined, “it’s the economy, stupid.” This statement is the business world version of “sales solves everything.” This is Hungary’s problem in a nutshell. FIDESZ does not have a clue. Get the economy going, and all other problems fall to the wayside. How incredibly stupid and cheated do those voters who put Orban & Co. into office now feel that so many of their neighbors, family and friends are unemployed because these guys scared away so many foreign investors? Every time I hear from someone that there are quite a lot of wealthy Hungarian businessmen waiting to create jobs, I just want to vomit. How dumb are these people? I mean, come on, are there really any Hungarian companies that have been on a hiring binge since this government came to power? I don’t think so. On the other hand, I can name many foreign companies that have, are in the process of or planning to close shop here and either go out of business or migrate to another country. Once again, hats off to anyone who voted for FIDESZ. You got what you deserved.