1987. július (88-97. szám) / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2

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88/1987 (E) 5th July, 1 987

The Party's "Economic and Social Stabilization Programme11

In recent years the ever mounting signs of crisis have provoked a broad unofficial debate in Hungary on the need to introduce radical economic and political reforms. Well known writers, scholars and experts have all contributed - indeed, members of the Central Commitee too. However, the official Party leadership has remained silent and used administrative means to prevent the publication of most of the proposals. Fór this reason the Party's policy statement has been eagerly awaited. Finally, after personnel changes at the top of the Party and goverment, the Central Commitee approved the document on 2nd July, and published it on the 4th July.

Bút the document, "The Economic and Social Stabilization Programme", has caused disappointment and di sillusionment. The Party continues to boast of the "internationally recognized achievements" of the Hungárián economy in the last 30 years. It speaks of the "greater and more difficult tasks" that have arisen because of "the changed conditions of the construction of socialist society" and the "world economy". Furthermore, while it makes great generalizations about the need fór reforms to improve efficiency, the more concrete proposals that feature here are the cause fór serious concern.

Fór it States that consumption will be "temporarily" curtailed, new forms of tax - purchase tax and personal income tax - will be introduced, the labour force will be "redistributed", and action will be taken against those who subvert "work discipline" and "work morals". Where the document refers to the reform of the political system, it seems to be mocking the many proposals that have been pút forward. It demands the "assertion of the leading role of the Party", "firm Party unity", and loyalty to the Party programme. It calls on the leadership and the workers in the mass média to "represent, publicize and explain the Party's standpoint and the goverment's measures", and to "criticize any practice that conflicts with Party policy".

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