makro-gazdasagpolitikaSignificant increase in Hungarian foreign trade
In June, the trade surplus increased significantly. It amounted to over 1300 million euros in a single month.
Macro and economic policy
427 articles
Featured Analysis
Energy crisis: record heat, slightly higher Danube, drying streams and ongoing energy and water conservation nationwide
Today, record-breaking heat is being experienced, but the Danube water level has improved, exceeding Sunday’s low point by nearly 10 centimeters, and one block of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant is operational. A positive development is that Hungary will receive the guaranteed Danube water volume guaranteed in international agreements, while Slovakia is prepared to release some additional water. Many organizations across the country are continuing to conserve energy and water due to the heat. We can continue to follow the developments.
Latest Dispatches
makro-gazdasagpolitika
makro-gazdasagpolitikaSurprise: growth in the Hungarian economy is lower than expected.
In the second quarter, the Hungarian economy’s performance exceeded the previous quarter by 0.4%. The consensus forecast among analysts was a 0.7% increase, meaning that GDP growth fell short of expectations. However, the magnitude of the surprise was not significant, as the Hungarian economy remained on a growth trajectory, although the momentum is currently not very strong.
makro-gazdasagpolitikaTisza-government: the economy is performing surprisingly poorly, Magyar Péter meets with Markus Söder.
The Hungarian economy’s performance in the second quarter was weaker than expected, with GDP growing by 0.4%, while analysts had forecast a 0.7% increase. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Bavarian Premier Markus Söder will hold a joint press conference on the resumption of Hungarian-Bavarian relations. Due to the heat, the MVM Paks Nuclear Power Plant reduced the performance of Block 2 by 50%, and the Ministry of Transport will partially lift the truck ban over the weekend.
makro-gazdasagpolitikaBudapest achieves another victory in the solidarity contribution case.
Another favorable court decision for the Budapest City Council regarding the solidarity contribution was announced by Mayor Gergely Karácsony on his Facebook page on Thursday morning.
makro-gazdasagpolitikaNew deputy state secretary begins work at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Family Affairs
The new state secretary for economic affairs, Krisztina Sepsey, begins her work. She brings more than two decades of experience in central state administration, as well as in finance and accounting, to the position. The appointment and professional background of the new state secretary were announced by Minister of Social Affairs and Family Affairs, Vilmos Kátai-Németh, in a Facebook post.
makro-gazdasagpolitikaPartially, this is why Croatian apartments are so expensive.
For vacation rental owners in Croatia, the cost of cleaning and maintenance between guests is becoming increasingly burdensome, potentially reaching 500 euros per guest change. According to a Jutarnji list article, in the high season, rising costs and a shortage of reliable labor are both problems, and discussions on this topic are taking place in a popular Facebook group between property owners and cleaners.
makro-gazdasagpolitikaEurope is experiencing one of the most devastating forest fires of the summer.
Three Greek firefighters died while trying to contain forest fires caused by extreme heat and strong winds, while firefighters in Spain, France, and Portugal are also battling severe blazes. The continent is experiencing one of its most devastating waves of wildfires this summer, according to the BBC.
makro-gazdasagpolitikaPart of the truck stop closure from the weekend is being resolved.
Due to the third-level heat warning, the Ministry of Transport and Investment is partially lifting the weekend ban on heavy vehicles, meaning that heavy vehicles will be allowed to travel on domestic roads from Saturday evening to Sunday morning.
makro-gazdasagpolitikaThe water level in the Danube is so low that they are reducing the performance of another Paks block again.
The Duna River’s water level has dropped 121 centimeters, which has led MVM Paks Nuclear Power Plant Zrt. to reduce the performance of block 2 by 50% as of July 30, 2026. This is part of a process in which the performance of blocks 1 and 3 were previously reduced, with the latter being completely shut down. The power plant provides the water needed to cool the reactors from the Duna River, but the record-low water level threatens safe operation. Operational decisions are made based on measurements, with the safety and environmental regulations taken into account.
makro-gazdasagpolitikaA new state secretary is arriving at the Ministry of Justice.
Forsthoffer Agnes, the Speaker of the National Assembly, appointed a new state secretary to the Ministry of Justice, exercising the powers and functions delegated by the President of the Republic. Meanwhile, several changes have been announced in the official gazette, affecting the positions of deputy state secretaries.
makro-gazdasagpolitikaCritical energy shortage in Romania: the only nuclear power plant shuts down!
Romania will shut down its only nuclear power plant after the Cernavodă facility’s second block is disconnected from the national power grid due to the extremely low water level in the Danube. The two reactors together provide approximately 20 percent of Romania’s electricity.
makro-gazdasagpolitikaThe Budapest Waterworks issued an extraordinary warning.
Due to the record low water levels in the Danube, several sections of riverbanks that are part of drinking water supply areas have become accessible, but access is still prohibited – warned the Budapest Waterworks. These areas provide drinking water for over two million residents of Budapest and the surrounding area.