There was a field in the last governmental term where outstanding cooperation could be observed on several occasions between the governing party and the largest opposition power. The Fidesz and the MSZP passed bills that can determine the Hungarian energy market for years, or even decades, unanimously and without debate – sometimes even in opposition of the government. Probably nothing worked so smoothly in national politics in the past four years than the Fónagy-Podolák axis coordinating such teamwork. This story outlines an energy policy “independent from political parties”, and the new government is probably not willing (or able) to change its logic.

Miklós Hargitai

The Hungarian Energy Office (MEH) used to dream of correcting the disharmonious voices of the Hungarian energy world and of becoming an independent professional citadel; but it has operated rather incompetently ever since its foundation. While its decisions have financial consequences, their ability to assert interests has been on the decline since Péter Medgyessy’s government. Issues of high importance have been shifted under the control of the parliamentary economy committee lead by László Puch, later by György Podolák. The institution that has so far only experienced failure celebrates its fifteenth anniversary.

István M. Szabó