PM Orban: We Will Not Allow People to Be Fleeced

Addressing lawmakers in parliament, PM Orban shared several important details about the government’s decisions.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his pre-agenda speech at the plenary session of the National Assembly on February 24, 2025. (Photo: MTI / Zoltan Mathe)

At the start of parliament’s spring session, in accordance with constitutional traditions, I present my report to the Honorable House! – Prime Minister Viktor Orban began his pre-agenda speech in parliament on Monday. There were attempts to disrupt proceedings (MP Akos Hadhazy played a recording of one of the prime minister’s earlier speeches), but Mr. Orban dismissed the provocation, drawing the conclusion that 

only Fidesz is better than Fidesz.

PM Orban announced the launch of the new workers' loan program, which allows young blue-collar workers to access a four-million-forint start-up loan. He also outlined a rural home renovation program for residents of towns boasting fewer than 5,000 residents, under which retirees can receive a three-million-forint non-repayable grant.

PM Viktor Orban delivers his pre-agenda speech at the plenary session of parliament on February 24, 2025. MTI / Illyes Tibor.

The government has launched a housing program expected to facilitate the construction of 10,000 new homes annually. They also decided that 50% of funds loaded onto the so-called Szep Cards can now be used for home renovations, and a new dormitory for 18,000 young people will be built in Budapest.

Mr. Orban pointed out that 

the government has decided to double the tax benefits for parents children in two phases.

Parents will be able to deduct 20,000 forints for one child, 80,000 for two children, and 200,000 for three children from their taxes and contributions. The government has also decided 

to introduce full income tax exemption for mothers raising two or three children.

 According to Mr. Orban, mothers with three children will receive the exemption starting in October this year, while for mothers with two children, the exemption will be introduced in stages.

He provided further details: as of January 1, 2026, the exemption will apply to two-child mothers under 40; in 2027, it will extend to those aged 40-50; in 2028, to those aged 50-60; and in 2029, it will also include those over 60.

The government has decided to raise the age limit for the so-called "childbirth incentive loan" to 35 years. Mr. emphsaized that these measures are unprecedented in Europe and constitute Europe’s largest tax reduction program. He acknowledged that the program represents a significant budgetary expenditure but emphasized that the government has concluded that it can still reduce the budget deficit. 

PM Orban anounces further wage increases 

Hungary's prime minister stressed that the government will only implement wage hikes that businesses can afford without layoffs. Accordingly, 

the minimum wage will be raised to 290,000 forints and the guaranteed minimum wage to 349,000 forints.

The minimum wage will increase by 13 percent next year, and by 14 percent in 2027.

Mr. Orban noted that this agreement brings Hungary closer to achieving a 1,000-euro minimum wage and a one-million-forint average salary.

He also highlighted that teachers' salaries were raised this year, bringing the average salary to 844,000 forints. Healthcare workers will also receive raises, with doctors’ average wages exceeding 2.1 million forints and healthcare specialists earning over 800,000 forints.

PM Orban announced that researchers' salaries will also be increased by an average of 30 percent. Additionally, in line with a government decision, 

police officers, soldiers, and members of armed forces will receive their six-month bonus payment in 2026.

Orban pointed out that Hungarian citizens collectively hold 14 trillion forints in government securities.

Economic breakthrough

Discussing inflation, PM Orban stated that he had instructed Economic Development Minister Marton Nagy to begin negotiations with retailers. He noted that traders have increased the price of flour by 43 percent, milk by 39 percent, eggs by 35 percent, and cooking oil by 11 percent. The government will not accept such measures. If no agreement is reached, PM Orban hinted at the possibility of introducing price controls. He said the government does not favor such measures, as the desirable scenario would be for trade to operate without state intervention, he added

We will not allow people to be fleeced,

– he declared. 

Mr. Orban also announced that a portion of VAT on vegetables, fruits, and dairy products will be refunded to retirees. – The government’s newly announced measures will enable an economic breakthrough, he stated.

He noted that Hungary is involved in several legal disputes with Brussels, including over the child protection law, which the EU wants Hungary to repeal. He stressed that further steps must be taken in child protection and recommended that parliament enshrine in the constitution that Hungary only recognizes two genders: men and women.

– No one should be allowed to endanger the healthy development of children or interfere with parents’ right to educate them as they see fit, he stated.

Major battle in Brussels – Ukraine cannot join the EU

PM Orban noted that the European People’s Party, of which the Hungarian Tisza Party is a member, and the European Socialists, which includes DK, have filed lawsuits against Hungary to strip the country of EU funds. He made it clear:

the money that rightfully belongs to us and that we fought for is arriving continuously, and now the Tisza Party, DK, and Momentum want to take it away.

"I call on them to withdraw their lawsuit against Hungary," he declared.

PM Orban signaled that heated debates are taking place in Brussels over Ukraine’s EU accession. He emphasized that the fate of Ukraine, or whatever remains of it, is of great importance to Hungary. According to Orban, any peace agreement must serve the security of Hungary and NATO. However, he also noted that this decision will not be made by Europeans.

Mr. Orban asserted that Ukraine cannot join the EU without Hungary’s approval, and currently, none of the accession criteria are met. He warned that Ukraine’s membership would devastate Hungarian farmers and the entire national economy.

For fifteen years, the Hungarian government has been in the minority on major issues. However, Mr. Orban emphasized that this is now changing, as the U.S. elections have triggered a shift in the global political landscape. He stated that anti-migration, family-friendly, and patriotic forces now form a majority.

We atre the ones who started this change in 2010 and have stood by it ever since, PM Orban remarked. However, he warned that simply having a majority is not enough—the majoroty will must also be enforced with power and determination. He called for dismantling the corrupt network that dominates the Western politics and media, following the example of the United States.

PM Orban proposed that parliament enact the missing laws necessary to protect Hungary’s sovereignty. He added that 

the government will cut off the financial taps of the Soros network.

He pledged that the era of rolling dollars will be brought to an end. And this is how 2025 will not only be the year of economic breakthroughs, but also of political breakthroughs, according to Mr. Orban, aho concluded by wishing parliament success in its work during the spring session.