Járai, appointed on February 8, 2011 to chair the Budget Council, said new regulations in force from January 1 assign more tasks to the Council, increasing his workload.

Járai as head of the Budget Council did not oppose government policy and in September supported the draft 2012 budget that was later drastically modified, Népszabadság writes.

Friends of Járai criticised Economy Minister György Matolcsy’s economic policy in private conversation. Járai denied rumours last Thursday that he was about to step down over disagreements with Matolcsy.

A rumour circulating among analysts states that the IMF will insist on strengthening the Budget Council, and Járai was seen as unsuitable because he might not be sufficiently independent.

“Kovács will be more thorough,” said analyst Gergely Suppan of Takarékbank.

Kovács himself said “The appointment was not a surprise, as I was approached with the offer a week ago”.

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

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