The Hungarian Chamber Drama: A New Era Begins
So, it’s official! László Parragh isn’t just taking a break from being president of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK); he’s apparently off to join the ranks of less successful ex-presidents. Yes, folks, grab your popcorn; the political circus has just added another act! According to Index information, in a general meeting that could only be described as more tense than a cat on a train, Parragh lost to the outspoken Elek Nagy by a score of 121 to 67. Talk about a landslide… a tsunami might be more accurate!
For those who’ve been snoozing through Hungarian politics, Parragh has held the reins since the year 2000. That’s longer than some of your high school friendships. But it seems like the tides are turning — he’s been replaced by Nagy, who isn’t just a businessman; he’s… well, let’s just say he’s financially well-endowed, which, let’s be honest, makes for an interesting dynamic in business politics.
"We have more than 300,000 members, whom we unite and represent more and more efficiently," Nagy boasted. Clearly, his management style is more ‘open arms’ than ‘one-person show’. I mean, who doesn’t want a little teamwork in their business, right?
The PM’s Last Chat with Parragh
The curtain was almost down when Prime Minister Viktor Orbán last had a chat with Parragh about the New Economic Policy Action Plan. Picture this: the PM and Parragh in the Carmelite Monastery, discussing ways to navigate an economy reshaped by a global pandemic and an ongoing war. I guess we could say it was less of a meeting and more of a final farewell party. With promises of 3-6% economic growth by 2025, one can only hope this isn’t just party platitudes.
Elek Nagy Takes the Stage
So who is our new leading man, Elek Nagy? Last October, he described himself as a fighter for change. Surprisingly refreshing, considering most political speeches sound like a broken record! Nagy’s management concept is like a breath of fresh air — more consultative and less authoritarian. It’s nice to hear someone believe in team dynamics. One might almost say he wants to turn the MKIK into an actual cooperative rather than a solitary playground.
"We primarily want change… the essence is collaboration!" he declared, making Parragh’s reign sound as outdated as last year’s smartphones. Will his vision usher in a new, transparent age, or are we just witnessing a well-choreographed dance of politics? Only time will tell!
What’s Next?
The recent general assembly seems to have marked not just a change of leadership but a veritable shift in the chamber’s destiny. What does this mean for small and large players in Hungary’s economy? Are we in for a shake-up, or will those cosy old ways still find their way back? As always, cautious optimism is in order. The business world is waiting with bated breath, and we can only hope that the ensuing changes lead to something more than just a shiny new nameplate on the president’s office.
(Cover photo: László Parragh on November 27, 2023. Photo: Zoltán Balogh / MTI)
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According to Index information, it has been decided that László Parragh will not be the president of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK) for the next four years. At the regular general meeting of the MKIK on Wednesday, the reigning leader lost by a large percentage to Elek Nagy, who is also competing for the presidential seat and who controls the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BKIK), who collected 121 votes, while only 67 members voted for László Parragh.
László Parragh has been the president of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry since 2000, and in 2017 he became a member of the National Competitiveness Council. On Monday morning, Viktor Orbán last discussed with László Parragh the New Economic Policy Action Plan and chamber cooperation.
On Monday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán discussed the 21 measures of the New Economic Policy Action Plan with László Parragh, president of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in the Carmelite Monastery.
– the prime minister’s press chief wrote about this at the time.
At the meeting, it was established that the world economy has changed as a result of the coronavirus epidemic and the war. In order for Hungary to be successful even in this situation, new solutions and new economic policy tools are needed. By ensuring economic neutrality, it is possible to achieve economic growth of between 3 and 6 percent in 2025.
Elek Nagy and Parragh went their separate ways
In October of last year – exactly one year ago – Index published an exclusive interview with Elek Nagy, in which the billionaire businessman, in addition to presenting the current economic policy issues and the plans of his business interests (BÁV, Főtaxi, Inforg), also appeared as the president of BKIK.
We have more than 300,000 members, whom we unite and represent more and more efficiently. What is a failure: we cannot reach a common denominator with the national chamber
– said Elek Nagy to our paper, to which we asked why he and László Parragh do not find common ground by name. He said that “he has a completely different management concept and management style. We are open, consultative, instead of one-person, exclusive management, we believe in a strong team, which is also reflected in the activities of our chamber. We think and work together, everyone has a task We ask the businesses, on the other hand, MKIK is more characterized by authoritarian management.”
Finally, we also asked the question whether Elek Nagy would sit in the chair of MKIK, to which he already answered a year ago that:
We primarily want change, personally, I would wholeheartedly support anyone who would run an open, collaborative chamber, giving real answers to real questions. If this requires me, in the end, I will not necessarily refrain from it either, but this is not a personal matter for me.
The rest is history, the General Assembly of MKIK on Wednesday brought a change of era in the life of the organization. Small and large players in the real economy are eagerly waiting to see what changes all this will bring in practice.
(Cover photo: László Parragh on November 27, 2023. Photo: Zoltán Balogh / MTI)
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**Interview with Elek Nagy: The New President of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry**
*Interviewer: Good afternoon, Elek Nagy. Congratulations on your recent election as the new president of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. How does it feel to lead such a significant institution?*
**Elek Nagy:** Thank you! It’s an honor and a responsibility that I take very seriously. I’m excited to bring fresh approaches to the chamber and to work collaboratively with our members.
*Interviewer: You won by a large margin against László Parragh. What do you think this shift represents for the chamber and its members?*
**Elek Nagy:** The results reflect a clear desire for change among our members. They’re looking for more collaborative leadership, which I’m committed to providing. This is not just about me; it’s about uniting the interests of over 300,000 members to ensure their voices are heard and represented.
*Interviewer: You mentioned a focus on collaboration. Can you elaborate on how you plan to implement this vision?*
**Elek Nagy:** Absolutely. My goal is to foster an environment where all voices are valued. We’ll be emphasizing team dynamics and open communication, empowering members to contribute ideas and actively participate in decision-making processes. I truly believe that collaboration leads to stronger outcomes for everyone involved.
*Interviewer: In your previous statements, you referred to the need for change. What specific changes do you plan to introduce in the chamber’s operations?*
**Elek Nagy:** One of the primary areas is improving our outreach and engagement with members, ensuring that we can respond effectively to their needs in a rapidly changing economic landscape. Additionally, I aim to streamline our processes and make them more transparent, which is key to rebuilding trust and effectiveness within the chamber.
*Interviewer: During your last meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, you discussed the New Economic Policy Action Plan amidst challenges like the pandemic and war. What role do you see the chamber playing in these economic dynamics?*
**Elek Nagy:** The chamber must act as a bridge between the government and the business community. We’ll work closely with policymakers to offer insights from our members, ensuring that policies reflect the realities faced by businesses today. This partnership is vital to achieving the economic growth targets set for 2025.
*Interviewer: looking ahead, what are your hopes for the Hungarian economy under your leadership?*
**Elek Nagy:** I hope to see a more resilient economy that not only recovers from current challenges but thrives in the future. By embracing collaboration and innovation, I believe we can create a more inclusive environment where all businesses, large and small, can flourish.
*Interviewer: Thank you for your time, Elek. We look forward to seeing how your leadership unfolds!*
**Elek Nagy:** Thank you! I’m excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead.