The IMF originally wanted the government to keep to or go below its original long-term plan of 2.6% deficit for 2009, even despite the global crisis. The loosening came after a visit by DSK to Budapest in January, and gave the further worsened external conditions as justification -- I guess the similarity with the Growth and Stability Pact is pure coincidence.

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}