Germany’s overall perception remains positive among Hungarians. 54 percent of respondents spoke positively about the country.
And 42 percent said that both countries had benefited from bilateral economic relations over the past ten years, shows the recent public opinion poll conducted by Nézőpont Intézet in collaboration with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Hungary.
Considerable improvement from the previous 56 to 62 percent was shown in the perception of German-Hungarian bilateral relations at the end of 2018. Respondents were less optimistic in regard to the political aspect (39 percent) of the two countries’ cooperation, however, positive perception of the economic aspects (69 percent) was unequivocal.
There was a drop in the number of respondents who considered bilateral economic relations as beneficial to Germany only. While 30 percent chose Germany, 7 percent Hungary, and 38 percent both countries as beneficiaries in 2017, a year later the number of those considering the benefits to be exclusively Hungarian or mutual showed an increase. 25 percent considered Germany, 12 percent Hungary, and 42 percent both countries as to have benefited from German-Hungarian economic relations over the past decade.
The largest parity of opinion continues to surround immigration. Only 19 percent of Hungarians agreed with Germany’s immigration policy, while 68 percent approved the Hungarian government’s solutions. As a result of the change in CDU leadership, a review of the previous immigration policy is taking place, which may forecast a growing similarity in the political positions and public opinions of the two countries.