logo
Bóka: Péter Magyar's platform is being drafted in Brussels

Bóka: Péter Magyar's platform is being drafted in Brussels

Budapest Times12-07-2025
Minister Bóka said Péter Magyar is helping foreign-funded civil groups to be given free rein to conduct political activities in Hungary.
János Bóka, Hungary's EU affairs minister, said on Tuesday that another chapter has been added to opposition Tisza Party leader Péter Magyar's platform in Brussels in the form of the document entitled 'Rule-of-law Recommendations', adding that the document was 'nothing more than a politically-motivated order for Magyar'.
In a post on Facebook, Minister Bóka said the aim of the recommendations was for 'foreign-funded so-called civil groups to be given free rein to conduct political activities in Hungary, for which they could receive an unlimited amount of foreign funding in an uncontrolled manner'.
The minister said the aim was also for 'foreign-funded media' to receive public funding, and for 'smear campaigns against right-wing politicians and public figures to become an institutionalised practice based on the Polish model'.
'This is not about the protection of the rule of law, but about institutionalised political pressure,' he said.
'Brussels has also drafted Péter Magyar's economic policy programme in advance; these are the European Semester recommendations,' Minister Bóka said
He said Brussels wanted to scrap Hungary's regulated utilities price scheme, the interest rate freeze and the mandatory caps on markups. Brussels also wanted Hungary to phase out home creation subsidies, scrap taxes on excessive corporate profits and tax refunds on diesel fuel for farmers, he added.
'The aim is to draft an economic policy that serves Brussels's expectations against the interests of the Hungarian people,' Minister Bóka said.
He said Brussels had made it clear that 'Magyar can say whatever he wants in the campaign, but Ukraine has to be admitted to the European Union before 2030', regardless of what the European people may think about this and what consequences this may have for Europe.
'Magyar's platform is being drafted in Brussels,' Minister Bóka said. 'It goes by many names — recommendation, reform, report — but the essence is always the same: they want to control Hungary from Brussels through a puppet government.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Government Info: Home Start ushers in new era for young homeowners, as government moves to shield jobs and industry
Government Info: Home Start ushers in new era for young homeowners, as government moves to shield jobs and industry

Budapest Times

time15 hours ago

  • Budapest Times

Government Info: Home Start ushers in new era for young homeowners, as government moves to shield jobs and industry

Minister Gergely Gulyás called Hungary's new Otthon Start program the most significant homeownership initiative since the regime change, highlighting its economic and social impact at Tuesday's government press briefing. Joined by State Secretary Miklós Panyi and Spokesperson Eszter Vitályos, Gulyás said the scheme reflects a long-term commitment to supporting young people through stable housing, while responding to external economic threats with a parallel job and industry protection plan. The program, launching 1 September, offers first-time buyers up to HUF 50 million in loans at a fixed 3 percent interest rate over 25 years, with just 10 percent self-financing required. Eligible properties must fall under a HUF 100 million cap for flats or HUF 150 million for houses, and meet a price ceiling of HUF 1.5 million per square metre. 'Even with average wages and little savings, young people can now take the first step toward owning a home,' Gulyás said. 'We are not considering a rental scheme—this is about long-term stability through ownership.' More than 100,000 properties currently meet the program's criteria, with additional listings expected as previously withheld homes re-enter the market. Developers will be incentivized: housing projects with at least 250 units—70 percent of which comply with price limits—may qualify as strategic investments. The goal is to initiate 20,000–25,000 new housing projects that otherwise would not launch. According to Gulyás and Panyi, the program could lead to the construction of 50,000 new apartments and thousands of family homes over five years, generating up to HUF 5,000 billion in investment and creating jobs across the construction sector. A dedicated Program Office, digital tools, and close coordination with banks will support rollout. In parallel, Gulyás said the government is preparing a job and industry protection action plan following consultations with major companies affected by the EU-US trade deal. He criticized the agreement as harmful and unrealistic, citing concerns from Hungarian and regional stakeholders. Turning to foreign policy, Gulyás warned of growing instability in the Balkans, calling the conviction of Bosnian Serb President Milorad Dodik a destabilizing act. 'The Balkans won't find stability through Western intervention—but through its absence,' he said.

Orbán: We must behave – not just in general, but also in our own communities
Orbán: We must behave – not just in general, but also in our own communities

Budapest Times

time2 days ago

  • Budapest Times

Orbán: We must behave – not just in general, but also in our own communities

The conversation touched on topics from political attacks and media sensationalism to the expectations of Hungarian citizens and the responsibilities of those in positions of power. Reflecting on a controversial moment from 2013, the prime minister recalled how he approached the incident with composure despite being physically targeted. Rather than seeking retaliation, he evaluated whether the provocation was genuine or simply part of the show business surrounding politics. His response underscored a consistent principle: maintain calm, even under pressure. Throughout the discussion, Prime Minister Orbán emphasized the importance of authenticity and connection with the public. He rejected the idea of blind political allegiance and instead encouraged his supporters to continuously reassess their views. 'I was not brought back [in 2010] because they loved me, but because the country was in crisis and problems had to be solved,' he remarked, underscoring a pragmatic view of leadership rooted in responsibility rather than popularity. On social dynamics, the prime minister spoke critically of ostentation, calling it 'horrible, harmful, and wrong.' He argued that while economic inequality is a natural feature of market economies, it becomes unacceptable when wealth is flaunted in a way that alienates ordinary citizens. According to him, Hungarian people can accept differences in financial status—as long as the wealthy respect the law, pay their taxes, and create jobs. But public display of affluence is fundamentally at odds with Hungarian cultural values. 'Don't shove it in people's faces that you have, when they don't,' he said, noting that this kind of behavior provokes rightful anger. He also addressed accusations regarding his own lifestyle, particularly the claim that he lives like a 'castle owner.' He denied this outright and warned that such narratives are often crafted to turn people against him. He acknowledged that not everyone on the political right-wing fully understands the need for modesty and restraint, but stressed that those in leadership must align with the cultural instincts of the nation. Prime Minister Orbán described Hungarian society as freedom-loving yet order-seeking—distinctly different from more individualistic Western cultures. In Hungary, a leader is expected to be both exceptional and relatable: 'They want you to be the best and still be one of them.' This, he said, must be accepted as the standard of leadership in Hungary. As the conversation concluded, the prime minister addressed political intimidation, dismissing threats against figures like Dopeman as unrepresentative of true Hungarian behavior. He warned, however, that the real danger comes not from robust debate, but from those who would turn politics into coercion. 'If someone says you have to run after 2026, that person represents dictatorship,' he said. Throughout the exchange, Prime Minister Orbán reinforced his core message: effective leadership in Hungary requires self-awareness, respect for cultural norms, and a commitment to serve—not dominate—the people.

Center for Fundamental Rights: Brussels weaponizes rule of law while ignoring real abuses
Center for Fundamental Rights: Brussels weaponizes rule of law while ignoring real abuses

Budapest Times

time2 days ago

  • Budapest Times

Center for Fundamental Rights: Brussels weaponizes rule of law while ignoring real abuses

The Center for Fundamental Rights has criticized the European Commission's latest rule of law report, calling it a clear example of legal hypocrisy. In a summary of its analysis titled The EU's Legal Hypocrisy in Weaponizing the Rule of Law, the Hungarian-Polish Freedom Institute accused Brussels of ignoring serious violations in Poland and Ukraine while targeting Hungary for political reasons. According to the statement issued Monday, the Commission 'turns a blind eye' to how the Tusk government in Poland uses methods reminiscent of 'the darkest communist times' to restore the rule of law. The center also claimed the EU overlooks abuses in Ukraine, where authorities reportedly commit crimes against their population and disregard both international human rights obligations and their own constitution. The analysis cited reports of violent forced conscription affecting the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia, including an alleged incident where a Hungarian citizen died from injuries inflicted by authorities—an event the centre says has been downplayed as falling 'within the framework of the rule of law.' Despite these concerns, the EU is rapidly advancing Ukraine's accession, the center noted. It further stated that Ukraine's intelligence services have interfered in Hungarian domestic politics by supporting the TISZA Party's campaign efforts to promote EU membership for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the statement said, Hungary faces relentless pressure from Brussels for rejecting migration, gender ideology, war, and what the centre described as 'economic and social suicide' linked to Ukraine's EU accession. The Center for Fundamental Rights concluded that the rule of law, as interpreted by the Commission, has been stripped of its original constitutional and human rights essence, becoming a political weapon used against governments that diverge from a 'left-liberal or globalist agenda.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store