– "When there's trouble, one immediately thinks of their children and parents. This is likely why government measures typically focus on families with children and retirees," Prime Minister Viktor Orban told Kossuth Radio’s Good Morning, Hungary! program. "There are two groups that a civic, national-minded government must always keep in focus: families with children and retirees," Mr. Orban stressed. He explained that whenever the government has the means to do so, the first question is always what they can do for children and the elderly.
– "The government is motivated by respect and recognition in supporting those to whom we owe our present existence. When there is economic capacity, it is only natural to expand benefits for retirees," PM Orban said, reminding listeners that pensioners living in towns with fewer than 5,000 residents are eligible for a new home renovation support.
– "They also own houses, so they, too, can modernize, renovate, and sell their properties," PM Orban pointed out.
He noted that he saw surprising figures, as the program benefits approximately 600,000 people. It offers up to six million forints, with three million provided by the government and the remaining three million available as a loan.
According to the prime minister, 2025 will be a strong and prosperous year, allowing the government to create new opportunities that were previously out of reach.
So, pensioners can also receive three million forints from the government for home renovation purposes, and take out an additional three million as a loan for the same purpose.
The 13th-month pension cannot be a political issue
Regarding retirees' 13th-month bonus pension, PM Orban emphasized that it was difficult to understand why this has become a political issue. The issue is surrounded by ongoing political, international, and professional disputes, he noted, attributing the domestic political tension to the fact that the Gyurcsan government had rescinded this benefit, while the national government had reinstated it. PM Orban acknowledged that the benefit was originally introduced by left-wing governments, adding, hoever, that they later revoked it.