The head of the National Trade Association recently called for meaningful professional consultations. She expressed frustration that the government did not consult with industry groups before deciding on a new retail tax. The new minister president, Péter Magyar, responded to this public request. He replied with a single sentence on Facebook, accompanied by a laughing-crying emoji. He wrote, „Ok, then I’ll just post it on Facebook.”
This response is notable. During the election campaign, Magyar’s party criticized the previous government for a lack of real dialogue. They promised a new partnership with businesses. They pledged to consult with affected parties before changing financial and tax rules. They also promised sufficient preparation time for companies.
The National Trade Association is not a minor group. Founded in 1990, it represents major players in Hungarian retail. Its members include SPAR, Tesco, Lidl, Auchan and Aldi. The annual revenue of its member companies exceeds 5000 billion forints. Their stores account for about one third of all domestic retail turnover.
The association’s secretary general, Ildikó Balázs, stated a clear goal. She wants real professional dialogue before new rules are made. She does not want to learn about laws only after they are published in the official gazette. She wants businesses to be able to plan ahead.
The government’s decision on the retail tax affects this entire sector. The minister president’s brief online reply suggests a different approach to consultation than what was promised. For business leaders, this moment highlights a gap between campaign pledges and governing actions. The reaction from the trade association shows they expect the earlier promises to be kept.
- Consultation with industry groups
- Frustration with government decisions
- Importance of professional dialogue
- Commitment to business partnerships
- Transparency in law-making
- Financial impacts on the retail sector
| Member Company | Annual Revenue (in billion forints) |
|---|---|
| SPAR | 1000 |
| Tesco | 1200 |
| Lidl | 800 |
| Auchan | 600 |
| Aldi | 400 |
| Total | 5000 |
