PM Orban: Hungary a Good Tool for People Who Want Peace

Interviewed on public radio's regular Friday morning program, the Hungarian prime minister spoke about the economic situation, Hungary's EU presidency that started this week, the formation of a new group of patriotic parties in the European Parliament, as well as his about talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and the initiatives taken to promote peace.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks on public radio's regular Friday morning program (Photo: MTI/Hungarian PM's Press Office/Zoltan Fischer)

"The patriots are doing better than what is perceived. Take the Italian ruling party, the largest Dutch governing party that has just been formed, here is Hungary, and there will be elections in Austria in September with the Freedom Party now in the lead. Here is Babis, who was already prime minister and is once again on course for victory. The question is when they will hold an election in the Czech Republic. Then there are the Belgians. The Belgian government has also fallen, and one of Belgium's expected governing parties is among us. 

a patrióta csoportnak már most erősebb képviselete van, mint látszódik, s ez idővel egyre inkább láthatóvá is válik majd //This patriotic group is already more strongly represented than it appears on the outside, and its presence will become increasingly visible over time,"

Viktor Orban said.

Threat of a trade war

A trade war is looming, in PM Orban's view. As he put it, there are absurd situations. "The Commission's decision to impose a punitive tariff on China is supposedly good because it protects the interests of European car manufacturers. Meanwhile, European car manufacturers are protesting ferociously because it is bad for them. The bureaucrats are now making a decision - on their behalf. The East will respond to this, which can push us in the direction of a trade war, the Hungarian prime minister noted, adding that

if there is a trade war, we will not be able to sell goods produced in Hungary.

Adapting to the post-war world

Regarding the situation in air transport, PM Orban called it unacceptable that in recent weeks some flights could only depart with delays of 18 to 20 hours. Once the government has taken over the airport, this will no longer be a problem, he said. "There are expectations set by the government, and I have called on the ministers to enforce them," he added.

Speaking about petrol prices, Viktor Orban said that once an agreement is concluded with distributors, it must be respected, and therefore it is inadmissible that Hungarians pay more for petrol than the average price in neighboring countries.

There's no such thing that for a while, prices can remain in this range, and then all of the sudden distributors cannot keep within this price range. This is what's happening now. I want to make it clear that we are now asking. But we won't say it twice. We have an agreement, it must be respected. Hungarians paying more for fuel than the average price in neighboring countries is unacceptable. And we will take action if asking doesn't help,

Viktor Orban said.

Encouraging signs in the economy

There are encouraging signs. After the war, we will live in a different world than before,

the Hungarian prime minister said speaking about the economic situation.  It is necessary to adapt to the post-war world, he said. Regarding tourism, he emphasized that it is one of the most important sectors in Hungary's economy. "This year, tourism in Hungary may have a record year, which is important because it is the best money source. People come here, spend their money here, and the money stays here. After the purchase of the airport, tourism can further strengthen," he added.

"At the same time, we are launching a home renovation scheme and trying to make agreements with employers to leave as much money as possible in people's pockets. Everyone continues to have the opportunity to find a job in Hungary," PM Oban said, adding that inflation must be tackled, and agreements will be reached with employers that will result in good wages."

If inflation is high, at least there should be good wages,

he said. The Hungarian prime minister hopes for a general improvement in the situation within a perceptible timeframe.

Cover photo: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks on public radio's regular Friday morning program (Photo: MTI/Hungarian PM's Press Office/Zoltan Fischer)