PM Orban: People In Most EU Member States Would Say No to Ukraine’s Accession

Ukraine’s accession would destroy Hungary’s economy, Viktor Orban told Kossuth Radio. According to Hungary's prime minister, the European Commission is on the wrong path, and Hungary cannot be bypassed. He explained that if President Zelensky’s plan, which includes banning Hungary and Slovakia from purchasing Russian natural gas and oil, were implemented, Hungarian families’ gas bills would increase three and a half fold, and electricity bills would double.

Sanctions Package and Family Support

Regarding the sanctions package, Orban stated: “It would be best if the Germans did not try to convince us of anything; the Germans and the Ukrainians should mind their own business.” He explained that Zelensky’s plan is to try to prohibit Hungary and Slovakia from purchasing oil and natural gas from Russia.

If implemented, Hungarian families’ gas bills would rise 3.5 fold, and electricity bills would double. Orban said: “They want to sacrifice the financial stability of Hungarian families for Ukraine’s interests.”

Regarding family support, he noted that everything would need to be reconsidered: 

if the Zelensky plan were implemented, as it would lead to uncertainty or a collapse in living standards. Rising energy prices would lead to layoffs, or even if people keep their jobs, their wages would decrease.

“Families would have to give up on the plans they had for the coming years,” he added.

"This is why we must prevent Brussels from dictating what happens in Hungary,”

he stressed.

Reducing Drought Damage

Speaking about the drought, he said that currently, 100 to 110 thousand hectares are irrigated, but this urgently needs to be increased to 400 thousand. He added that to reduce drought-related damage this summer, five billion forints had to be mobilized, 1,000 people and several hundred machines are working in the field. They are dredging gutters and canals and repairing sluices.

We have to get through this summer, but we also need a long-term irrigation plan,

said the prime minister, pointing out that

Hungary generally produces twice as much grain as it consumes, so there will be no issues with that this year, as it rained in May. 

However, sunflower and corn need water, and they must now be irrigated.

Water should be provided as cheaply as possible — ideally for free.

The government will always find the legal means to ensure farmers get water free of charge.

Opposition Parties Aligned with Pride

Regarding the Pride event, the prime minister said that Hungarians value independent thinking. He was surprised, as he believed that Pride as a social phenomenon has been overcome and no longer poses a serious threat.

He emphasized that abroad, Pride represents a danger because it involves sensitization, adding that he thought that Hungary has protected itself from this, as in the 2022 referendum, 3.5 million people said they don’t want this, he recalled.  "But we’re not done with it. It’s a real danger now, because the opposition parties have decided to unite with Pride," he stated. "They’ve made the sensitization of children part of their program."

Nothing can shake me when it comes to Pride,

Viktor Orban underlined, pointing out that 

the fight is never against Hungarian people but against foreigners.

He recalled that a teacher had suggested starting sensitization in kindergarten. "We have work to do. Pride is a much bigger challenge than I thought," the prime minister concluded.
 

Housing Support

Speaking about the 3 percent subsidized loan for first home purchases, Viktor Orban noted that 

it’s hard for young people to get a home today, so they need support in this situation.

The government will deliver on all promises made at the beginning of the year, including tax exemption for infant care allowance (CSED) and childcare benefit (GYED), and doubling the family tax rebate. The programs have been announced, but it takes time for the results to appear.

The 3 percent preferential loan will be available from September.

"These initiatives are already underway, and one by one we’ll be able to check them off the list," the prime minister said. 

After 7:30 am, Prime Minister Viktor Orban gave an interview on the Good Morning, Hungary program on Kossuth Radio. The prime minister assessed current political developments and outlined the latest government decisions, including measures taken due to the drought and the housing support scheme. Our newspaper provided continuous updates on the interview.

Cover photo: Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban gives an interview for the "Good Morning, Hungary!" program on Kossuth Radio (Photo: MTI/Prime Minister's Communications Department/ Vivien Cher Benko)