March 2, 2012
In a two-part interview (February 17, March 2) with Radio Nova Nick Sitter analysed the present tension between the Hungarian government and the European Commission, and possible outcomes of this conflict. The government's concentration of power, populist economic policy and nationalist rhetoric has prompted close EU scrutiny of several Hungarian policy initiatives. Its reply to the Commission of 17 February bought the government more time, but also means that any IMF loan will be severely delayed.