
State Secretary: Pact between Brussels and Tisza Party is preventing renovation of ambulance stations and hospitals
Peter Takács, the state secretary for health, said in Győr, in north-western Hungary, on Wednesday that the 'pact' between Brussels and Hungary's opposition Tisza Party led by Péter Magyar is preventing the renovation of ambulance stations and hospitals.
A total of 54 ambulance stations have been built and 120 upgrades since Fidesz and the Christian Democrats came into power in 2010, Takács told a press conference, adding that this covered around 60 percent of the country's ambulance stations.
'We would like to continue down this path, but there's something that keeps slowing this process down,' the state secretary said.
'The Brussels elite is trying to help bring the Tisza Party to power at all costs, and in return, they'll carry out the orders they are given from the Brussels-based power centre,' Takács said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Budapest Times
10 hours ago
- Budapest Times
Csaba Dömötör: No foreign interference has any place in Hungary
No matter whether it comes from Russia, overseas, or 'any grey Brussels office,' there is no place for foreign interference in Hungary, Fidesz Member of the European Parliament Csaba Dömötör said Thursday on Facebook. Referring to comments by Tisza Party leader Péter Magyar alleging a Russian operation to influence Hungarian internal affairs, Dömötör noted that supportive media outlets had amplified these claims over a single Russian press release. He then posed a series of questions regarding sovereignty, asking why there was no outcry when 4.5 billion forints were sent from abroad to fund the opposition's campaign, or when Brussels leaders openly named preferred candidates for Hungary's elections. He also questioned the lack of reaction when EU funds were withheld for political purposes, and when billions were spent on NGOs, including unelected political activists, with further increases planned. Dömötör said that some of Magyar's local campaign events were organized with Brussels-funded 'civil organizations' that oppose Hungarian job-creating investments. Highlighting recent debates over banning foreign funding for public activities, Dömötör argued that those now decrying foreign interference are themselves 'part of and instruments of it.' 'Here, there has never been and never will be a majority for those whose politics, statements, and actions are dictated by outside expectations,' he said, adding that 'Péter Magyar remains Manfred Weber's man and candidate, regardless of public stunts.'


Budapest Times
6 days ago
- Budapest Times
Balázs Orbán: Only leadership that preserves peace, security, and growth can guide Hungary
Balázs Orbán, the Prime Minister's Political Director, said Hungary requires leadership accepted by all, capable of safeguarding the nation's peace, security, and economic progress. Speaking on the Harcosok órája online program on Monday, he argued that in an era of unpredictable conflicts, a fragmented government would put the country at risk. He stated that the core of the Fidesz system is building national unity on major civilizational issues, such as sovereignty, opposition to migration, and a work-based society—positions shared even by many outside the party. He identified the war in Ukraine as the greatest current challenge, stressing that his political community alone can ensure Hungary remains out of the conflict and aligned with no side. On the planned Trump–Putin meeting, Orbán welcomed U.S. efforts toward ending the war, noting Prime Minister Orbán had long called Russian–American talks the only viable path to peace. He criticized Germany and France for lobbying on Ukraine's behalf rather than pursuing negotiations, and accused the opposition of supporting a 'Brussels mainstream' strategy that prolongs suffering on the front. Turning to domestic politics, he condemned the Tisza Party for using an incident at a Székesfehérvár hospital to score political points, saying they avoid substantive policy debates because they lack viable healthcare reform proposals. He also rejected liberal criticism of the Home Start housing program, contrasting the right's commitment to widespread homeownership with the left's preference for rental housing. Orbán said the government's housing policy combines demand and supply incentives, restricts speculative purchases, and promotes property ownership as the foundation of a strong nation and middle class. He stressed the program would only continue if Fidesz–KDNP wins next year's election.


Budapest Times
11-08-2025
- Budapest Times
Orbán: Europe has fallen asleep, we need to talk to Russia as soon as possible
'Europe has fallen asleep,' the prime minister said, emphasizing that the French President and German Chancellor should already have met with President Vladimir Putin to seek an end to the war in Ukraine. 'This war is taking place in Europe, not overseas. It is in our interest to bring it to an end.' According to Prime Minister Orbán, only a direct and high-level dialogue can lead to a ceasefire: 'The Trump-Putin meeting is good news, because without them there will be no ceasefire. But it should not be America alone. Europe must act as well.' The interview came at the end of a politically and economically dense week. The prime minister introduced the details of the Home Start housing loan program, launching in September, which he framed as a strategic tool to reverse Hungary's demographic decline and strengthen families. 'In the West, they want to solve the problem with migration. We don't like that.' Listing the problems Western cities are facing due to this approach, PM Orbán said, migration 'changes cities—more foreigners than local children in the schools, terrorism risks, declining public safety.' 'We will not solve our demographic issues with migration—we will support (Hungarian) families,' he stressed. The newly introduced measures offer significant financial advantages. The tax-free status of maternity and childcare allowances now brings a net gain of up to HUF 78,000 per month for those making an average income. The updated housing loan, with a fixed 3 percent interest rate, can save up to HUF 150,000 monthly on a HUF 50 million loan. 'There is no exchange rate risk, no interest rate risk. It's in forints,' Prime Minister Orbán noted. He added that young people now renting can find themselves paying less in monthly installments than they would for rent. 'The Hungarian dream is to own a home,' not a monthly rental. Responding to criticism that the new scheme will increase housing prices, the prime minister dismissed such concerns as misinformed. 'They haven't read the decree. Or they could just call Miklós Panyi,' he remarked, calling the attacks from the Tisza Party politically motivated and based on falsehoods. 'Those who attack this program have never built anything like it. We won't be buying luxury apartments. There's a cap on price per square meter. This is for people who don't own property.' Turning again to the war, Prime Minister Orbán reiterated his belief that Hungary must continue pushing for peace. 'I already wanted to launch these economic programs in March, but we had to add safeguards. Still, we cannot wait for the war to end. We must act now.' In closing, the prime minister touched on international disinformation campaigns, including one orchestrated against Donald Trump. 'It's a scandal—state organs were used to spread fake news. And similar things are being done against Hungary. They want a government here that Brussels likes, not one the people chose. But there are serious ways to resist.'