Next time you get irritated with your local zoning officials take a step back and thank your stars that you don’t live in Hungary.  Portfolio reports that the Hungarian government is trying to:

• Make every billboard illegal whether it is on public or private land.

• Issue “concessions” to government favored companies to be able to put up billboards.

Insider’s take: Cronyism at it worst.  Property rights and private contracts vanish at the stroke of a government pen.  A proposal which will feather the pockets of the government officials issuing “concessions.”   Cynics say the move is aimed at wiping out businessman Lajos Simicska who is out of favor with Hungary’s prime minister.  Conspiracy theorists say a businessman close to the government is planning to use the law to buy up defunct billboard companies at fire sale prices.

Paid Ad