PM Orban: We Can Introduce Tax Exemption for Mothers for Life

Prime Minister Orban outlined the background and details of the latest government decisions.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Kossuth radio's studio (Photo: MTI / PM's Press Office / Benko Vivien Cher)

He also mentioned that 2025 will be a year of a breakthrough and that the world is moving toward peace, which will have favorable economic effects and create opportunities for economic advancement.

 

Ukraine's fast-tracked EU membership would destroy Hungarians

Viktor Orban stated that the issue of Ukraine’s EU membership will be determined by the competent minister, and the public will be asked a single, straightforward question.

He declared that Brussels still has a pro-war majority.

European leaders have decided that Ukraine must continue fighting in exchange for expedited membership. This would destroy Hungarians, 

– Mr. Orban said. He asserted that it is up to ordinary Hungarians to make this decision. Hungary has a decisive say in the matter, as every member state must approve the accession.

PM Orban suggested that everyone approach this issue based on their own perspective. There are economic, labor market, healthcare, border security, military, and public safety considerations.

Most people are primarily concerned with economic factors, he said, adding that Ukraine’s EU membership would ruin the Hungarian economy. Mr. Orban argued that Serbia could be admitted to the EU tomorrow morning, which would bring immense benefits, particularly for Hungary, significantly expanding the country’s economic opportunities. North Macedonia and Montenegro could also be admitted immediately.

But this is a completely different matter; these countries cannot be compared to Ukraine,

– he said. He called it madness to require every EU member state to allocate a fixed portion of its GDP to support Ukraine. He insisted that negotiations and peace should be the priority.

 

The Hungarian left wants war

Hungary’s traditional left wing, including the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK), is aligned with European socialists and supports war. The Tisza Party belongs to the European People’s Party, which is the biggest pro-war hawk, Mr. Orban added. He asserted that, in contrast, Fidesz and the co-ruling Christian Democratic People’s Party (KDNP) oppose the war, and he also classified the opposition Our Homeland Movement (Mi Hazank) as pro-peace.

The prime ministers who have the backing of the Socialist–EPP coalition are pro-war, Mr. Orban said.

Hungary and Slovakia are against the war,

– Mr. Orban said, regarding next week’s EU summit. He noted that there is still no clear plan on how to finance defense developments. According to PM Orban, there are two camps on this issue: those who want to take out loans and those who prefer to finance projects with their own resources. Hungary’s Fundamental Law does not support joint borrowing, but parliament must reach a decision on the matter by Thursday.

At the end of the interview, Viktor Orban reiterated his stance against the EU member states collectively taking on new debt.

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