PM Orban: In 2025, We'll Have a Fantastic Year

Prime Minister Orban provided updates on the latest government decisions, discussions related to the EU presidency, the upcoming European Summit in Budapest, Brussels' overt interference, and the soon-to-begin national consultation survey.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the studio of Kossuth Radio (Photo: Prime Minister’s Press Office / Vivien Cher Benko)

Brussels wants a puppet government

– Politics has its own world, PM Orban continued with a metaphor, “like when we buy sausages at the store but don’t go back to see how they’re made.” According to Mr. Orban, “we must be good at politics, where we, Hungarians, usually stand our ground.” Even in the era of a new NATO Secretary General, Hungary does not need to participate in the war, he emphasized. “We've always found room to maneuver, and we will continue to do so in the future. Hungary has the right to pursue a new economic policy,” he said, calling the situation crystal clear. Undoubtedly, it would be more comfortable for Brussels if this ‘pebble in their shoe’ - that’s us - weren’t there, Mr. Orban said. He pointed out that the plan was had been construed, and they openly told us: "Mr. Prime Minister, it's over! Let’s bring in the next one.” When Poland was ploughing its own path, the same thing happened to them, Mr. Orban said, highlighting Brussels' plan regarding the fate of Hungary and its government. He then recalled that both the European Commission and the European People’s Party did everything they could to bring down the conservative Polish government. “They want a puppet government,” he added.

 

It would cost us dearly

Giving in to Brussels’ demands would cause significant hardship for Hungarian citizens, Mr. Orban said. “They want high taxes instead of low personal income tax. They want us to eliminate the taxes on multinationals, rescind our utility price cap scheme and end the 13th-month bonus pension payouts. They'd also abolish the agricultural subsidies and give them to Ukraine. If there’s a puppet government, the question is: what impact will it have on the Hungarian people?” he asked. 

2025 will bring growth

Outlining the practical aspects of the government's new economic policy, PM Orban pointed first to the upcoming U.S. presidential race. “If President Trump returns, the war won’t continue. That’s the first thing. If that doesn’t happen, today’s situation will remain, requiring a different economic policy,” he added. Mr. Orban emphasized that some EU countries are now spending 4% of GDP on military, but Hungary’s fundamental interest is to have a leadership that says: "this war cannot spread further." We put together a 20- to 25-point package that can steer Hungary out of this difficult situation. If we remain economically neutral, 2025 will bring us economic growth of over 3%,” he said, adding that some people assume the government sets wages, but “this would ruin the economy.” He explained that employers and employees must negotiate. “On one side is capital, on the other is labor; they need to reach an agreement together. In a reasonable timeframe, we'll have an average salary of one million forints and a minimum wage of about 400,000 forints,” Mr. Orban said.

National consultation

– We have to protect our achievements in battle, which takes strength,” Mr. Orban emphasized. “In this battle, I have one thing to rely on - the views of the Hungarian people. If I have that, I can protect our achievements and negotiate with a democratic mandate. The national consultation strengthens government policy.” Mr. Orban said, adding that it demonstrates the joint will of the people, which must be carried out. As an example, he noted a previous consultation in which Hungarians expressed that the government should stop migration. Regarding the issue of migration, he stressed that citizens expect the government to take action, even if “Brussels bureaucrats” had described the migration pact as "good," saying that its implementation needed to accelerate - a view unanimously backed by domestic political forces, except for Fidesz and the Our Homeland (Mi Hazank) party. “The situation is that the fight between pro- and anti-migration forces continues, but the odds are shifting in our favor,” PM Orban concluded.

Cover photo: Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the studio of Kossuth Radio (Photo: PM's Press Office/Vivien Cher Benko)