The hot and cold nature of the Hungarian government’s relationship with the European Union made itself known again as it complained about recent proposals on how to stabilize the country’s economy. Prime minister Viktor Orban said it seemed that no matter what Hungary does, it’s never enough for Brussels, despite recent assurances, at least from the IMF, that further austerity is not among its demands. “We ask the EU to tell us how much is missing and however much it tells us, we will deliver,” he said, but went on to say that his most recent tax hike proposals had failed to convince EU leaders the deficit could be kept under control. Agreement is needed before November 7, if Hungary wants to avoid losing millions of euro in cohesion funds. The Hungarian government spokesman called the threat to remove cohesion funds tantamount to blackmail.
