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Tax taxonomy

2011-11-07


Tax taxonomy

Fidesz set out to turn Hungary into a low and simple tax country. Realising one of its central campaign promises, it introduced a flat income tax early in its term. With the reality of the declining economy and the budget crunch setting in, however, both low and simple are out the window.

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The first streetwise player goes political

Well-attended as civil rallies may be, in the long-run Fidesz can only be defeated at the ballot box. One of the prominent organisations behind the street demonstrations, 4K!, has drawn the appropriate conclusion and is turning into a political party. Others may follow.

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State debt: Public Enemy No. 1 is on the loose again

Debt was one of the major issues this week, with several online publications pointing out that despite the government’s insistence that victories have been achieved on the debt-reduction front, the real numbers look disquieting. In major part due to the forint’s deprecation, the budget’s net total debt was at an all time high in September, official...

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New Electoral Law, Part II: Redefining proportionality

In Part II of our electoral law analysis we take a look at the more technical aspects of the new election law, analysing how changes to electoral system will affect seat distribution, voting behaviour and future majorities. We argue that Fidesz tinkers with the system in a way that will increase the likelihood of emerging victorious from a battle w...

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October surprise: A New Electoral Law

Just in time to fuel another round of speculation about early elections, a new concept of Fidesz’ proposals for new electoral rules emerged, supplanting an earlier proposal, which is still languishing in committee.

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Jobbik: slapped for success

The times call for an economically populist agenda, and Jobbik appears to be successfully adapting to this requirement. Drawing on a mix of its own xenophobic/anti-globalisation ideas, Fidesz’ previous opposition rhetoric, and traditional left-wing ideas, it is steadfastly attacking the government’s economic policies. At the same time, a careful pr...

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Fidesz and the flat tax: seduced and abandoned

What was only a quickly reversed idea a couple of weeks ago is now a reality: the flat tax will be suspended for at least a year. While the higher rate will be applied already at income levels that ideally should have been subject to the lower rate, this policy reversal is a move in the right direction. In Hungary, the flat tax has failed to delive...

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A cooler climate for investors

On occasion, the government shows scant concern for legal certainty and the rule of law, thus encumbering long-term calculations of returns on investment with the looming possibility of arbitrary taxes or other explicitly or effectively punitive action.

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Cardinal concerns: the new super laws are coming

The constitutional process is far from over: phase two is just about to begin. In the autumn the government parties will introduce the so-called cardinal (or supermajority) laws that will flesh out various areas that were only addressed in broad strokes by the Constitution.

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Work: Can there be too much of a good thing?

The government is seeking fundamental change in the way work works in Hungary. It seeks to simultaneously increase labour supply, employment and the time each worker spends at work. The latter appears unnecessary: a comparative review of European working times reveals that those already in employment work more than the average European.

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About Us

Policy Solutions is a progressive political research institute based in Budapest. It was founded in 2008 and it is committed to the values of liberal democracy, solidarity, equal opportunity, sustainability and European integration. The focus of Policy Solutions’ work is on understanding political processes in Hungary and the European Union. Among the pre-eminent areas of our research are the investigation of how the quality of democracy evolves, the analysis of factors driving euroscepticism, populism and the far-right, and election research. 

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