Public Opinion Divided on Continuation of Utility Price Caps in Hungary
A recent survey reveals strong support for utility price caps among most Hungarians, despite recommendations for market-based pricing due to EU regulations.
According to a February 2023 survey conducted by Real-PR 93, 66 percent of Hungarians believe the current utility price cap system should be maintained.
However, among voters of the Tisza Party, a relative majority of 45 percent favor abolishing the over ten-year-old discounted pricing structure.
The details of the survey were released on Friday by the Hungarian news agency MTI.
The European Commission has recently initiated infringement proceedings against Hungary, citing that the country's legal framework has not fully aligned with EU internal market regulations on electricity.
Compliance with EU requirements would necessitate the elimination of the price caps, leading to energy prices rising significantly for consumers.
This survey, which included responses from 1,000 adults between February 17 and 19, shows that nearly two-thirds of the adult population supports maintaining the price caps, while 22 percent advocate for energy providers to set prices freely based on market conditions.
The ruling party's supporters are overwhelmingly in favor, with 90 percent backing this government initiative seen as one of its most effective policies.
In contrast, among Tisza Party voters, 45 percent would prefer to eliminate the price cap, while 34 percent would like to see the current favorable pricing for residential consumers continue.
The survey also revealed geographical disparities in opinion.
Rural voters show more robust support for the government measure, with 69 percent in favor of maintaining the price cap, compared to 55 percent of residents in Budapest.
In the capital, nearly one-third of respondents (32 percent) would prefer to leave pricing decisions to suppliers.
Support for maintaining the utility price cap is broadly shared among all age groups, although approval increases with age — from 56 percent among younger adults aged 18-39, to 69 percent among those aged 40-59, and reaching 73 percent among seniors aged 60 and over.
The younger demographic is the least supportive of the measure, with 31 percent favoring market-based pricing instead.
However, among voters of the Tisza Party, a relative majority of 45 percent favor abolishing the over ten-year-old discounted pricing structure.
The details of the survey were released on Friday by the Hungarian news agency MTI.
The European Commission has recently initiated infringement proceedings against Hungary, citing that the country's legal framework has not fully aligned with EU internal market regulations on electricity.
Compliance with EU requirements would necessitate the elimination of the price caps, leading to energy prices rising significantly for consumers.
This survey, which included responses from 1,000 adults between February 17 and 19, shows that nearly two-thirds of the adult population supports maintaining the price caps, while 22 percent advocate for energy providers to set prices freely based on market conditions.
The ruling party's supporters are overwhelmingly in favor, with 90 percent backing this government initiative seen as one of its most effective policies.
In contrast, among Tisza Party voters, 45 percent would prefer to eliminate the price cap, while 34 percent would like to see the current favorable pricing for residential consumers continue.
The survey also revealed geographical disparities in opinion.
Rural voters show more robust support for the government measure, with 69 percent in favor of maintaining the price cap, compared to 55 percent of residents in Budapest.
In the capital, nearly one-third of respondents (32 percent) would prefer to leave pricing decisions to suppliers.
Support for maintaining the utility price cap is broadly shared among all age groups, although approval increases with age — from 56 percent among younger adults aged 18-39, to 69 percent among those aged 40-59, and reaching 73 percent among seniors aged 60 and over.
The younger demographic is the least supportive of the measure, with 31 percent favoring market-based pricing instead.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
