Should we be worried about the Hungarian economy? We will still work a lot even after the new public holiday.

The Hungarian Parliament has declared December 24 a public holiday, allowing for a three-day Christmas break. This decision follows years of debate and previous unsuccessful attempts to establish this holiday. The ruling party, Fidesz, had previously opposed the holiday, citing economic concerns about its impact on productivity and competitiveness. However, proponents argue that the holiday is essential for family time and work-life balance. Despite the addition of this holiday, Hungary's number of public holidays remains average compared to Europe, with the country still having one of the highest annual working hours in the EU. The discussion around work-life balance and economic performance continues to be relevant in the context of European competitiveness against the US and China.