EPICENTER

In Expresso.pt, Epicenter’s Adam Bartha analyzed the early steps of Péter Magyar’s government in Hungary, noting its continued reliance on Russian energy and rejection of a fast-track EU accession for Ukraine. He assessed whether this signals a real shift toward free-market reforms or a continuation of pragmatic but interventionist policies that have held back Hungary’s economic performance in recent years.

In Reason.com, Epicenter’s Adam Bartha commented on the defeat of Viktor Orbán and the prospects for free-market reforms under new Prime Minister Péter Magyar. He noted that Hungary has fallen from one of the top post-communist performers to the second-worst EU member due to Orbán’s cronyism and state intervention, and expressed cautious optimism that the new government could shift toward genuine free-market policies, drawing lessons from Poland’s stronger reform record.

In BNR’s Euranet Plus podcast “Evropa Utre”, IME’s experts discussed whether Europe should pursue strategic autonomy or prioritize free trade in its “Made in Europe” strategy. They argued that openness to global trade, deregulation, and competitiveness are essential for Europe’s economic success, rather than protectionist or overly regulatory approaches to achieving autonomy.

In La Stampa, Epicenter’s analysis was referenced in the discussion on Italy’s “parcel tax” and the broader rule of disorder in public administration and legislation. The piece highlighted how fragmented and poorly coordinated rules continue to burden businesses and citizens, calling for deeper deregulation and structural reforms to restore order and competitiveness in the Italian and European economy.

In bTVNovinite.bg, IME’s senior researcher Petar Ganev commented on Bulgaria’s economic challenges amid rising fuel prices, energy market tensions, and budget pressures. He warned that the state should avoid compensating for every price increase through new spending, as this risks transferring all economic shocks to the budget, and stressed that the main priority must remain preserving long-term growth, high employment, and the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy.