Latest news with #HungarianVillageProgram
Budapest Times
11-04-2025
- Business
- Budapest Times
Minister Gulyás: Brussels' plan for Ukraine's EU accession goes against Hungarian interests
At today's Government Info briefing, Minister Gergely Gulyás reaffirmed the Hungarian government's opposition to the European Union's fast-tracked plan to admit Ukraine. He warned that the proposed pace poses serious economic, agricultural, and public safety risks for Hungary. 'Brussels is thinking in terms of a very fast process,' said Minister Gulyás, adding that Ukraine's accession under current conditions would significantly divert cohesion funds from Hungary. He cautioned that the move would also bring challenges to Hungary's agriculture, food industry, labor market, and public security. For these reasons, the government firmly rejects the proposal. The minister also criticized Brussels-funded public opinion polls suggesting Hungarian support for Ukraine's EU membership. According to Gulyás, these surveys serve political interests rather than reflect genuine public sentiment. In response, the government will launch its own national consultation next week, mailing voting forms to households to allow citizens to express their views directly. On domestic matters, Minister Gulyás reported encouraging progress in the fight against inflation. The government's price control policies, including the retail margin cap, have led to a measurable drop in food prices. Compared to data from mid-March, 894 products have become cheaper—103 of them by 40-50 percent. 'This is a working model,' he said, emphasizing that additional agreements with telecom companies and banks will ensure 2024 year-end prices remain fixed through mid-2026. Turning to rural development, the minister announced new initiatives under the Hungarian Village Program. The government will purchase abandoned former savings bank buildings for public use and transfer state-owned properties to municipalities upon request. The 'village caretaker' service will also now be extended to settlements with up to 1,500 residents. Local government employees in towns with fewer than 10,000 people will see salary increases in two phases: 15 percent from July 2025 and another 15 percent from January 2026. Gulyás also addressed concerns about foot-and-mouth disease. While no new infections have been detected, investigations continue into the source of the outbreak, including the possibility of an artificially engineered virus. Gulyás urged the public to respect ongoing restrictions as a precaution. Judicial matters featured in the cabinet meeting as well. The president of the National Office for the Judiciary presented a report, with the government reaffirming its support for a 48 percent judicial salary increase. Minister Gulyás added that where court decisions diverge from government expectations—such as in drug trafficking cases—legislative changes may be considered. Finally, economic measures aimed at supporting families were also highlighted. As part of a broader tax relief strategy, maternity and parental benefits will become income tax-exempt from July 2025, increasing average monthly payouts by HUF 78,000 and HUF 43,000, respectively. State Secretary Zsófia Koncz noted that by 2026, half a million mothers will benefit from full income tax exemption. The government will also extend nursery fee subsidies through mid-2026, allocating an additional HUF 6.6 billion to support young families.
Budapest Times
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Budapest Times
Orbán: The non-protesting majority has the right to live a normal life
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán emphasized the government's commitment to protecting everyday life, supporting rural communities, strengthening families, curbing inflation, and keeping Hungary out of foreign conflicts in a wide-ranging interview on national radio. In his latest radio interview, Prime Minister Orbán drew a stark line between public provocations and the need for societal stability. 'There is a provocation contest among the opposition parties,' the prime minister stated, referencing recent demonstrations supporting Pride events. According to Prime Minister Orbán, while protests receive significant attention, it is the silent majority—not protesting—who must also have their rights protected. 'The non-protesting majority has the right to live a normal life,' he emphasized. This call for balance comes amid growing political agitation and what the prime minister described as 'impulse politics' driven by street demonstrations. He warned that some political actors are prioritizing spectacle over substance, and reaffirmed that his government will remain focused on development and stability, not on reactionary politics. Turning to rural policy, Prime Minister Orbán highlighted the continued success of the Hungarian Village Program. Since 2018, the program has reversed depopulation trends in over 1,200 villages. The aim, he explained, is not just preservation but renewal—'The village is not the past, but the future.' With improved infrastructure, revitalized shops, churches, pubs, and better access to schools and ATMs, villages are becoming increasingly attractive for families seeking a more peaceful, community-oriented lifestyle. The government's family-first approach was also underlined. Prime Minister Orbán reiterated that the Hungarian state views the family, not the individual, as the fundamental unit of society. He framed the new lifelong income tax exemption for mothers as a historic shift—proof that the country is committed to building a genuinely family-centered social system. 'A society must ensure that those raising children are not worse off than those who do not,' he said, contrasting Hungary's policy path with that of the liberal West. On economic matters, the prime minister cited the recent introduction of the profit margin cap, affecting over 870 products and resulting in noticeable price drops—up to 50 percent for some dairy and fat products. While acknowledging the risk of certain retailers attempting to circumvent the new rules, he noted the early success of the measure and said a full review will follow by the end of May. Finally, Prime Minister Orbán addressed geopolitical developments. He warned that Brussels appears to be preparing for war, citing new EU-wide emergency stockpile requirements. Still, he reassured the public: 'No one is threatening NATO countries, and we will certainly not be drawn into war.' Instead, he called for alignment with American peace initiatives, arguing that Washington has a better chance of enforcing a ceasefire than Europe. In sum, Prime Minister Orbán's message was one of calm persistence: avoid provocation, strengthen villages, support families, contain inflation, and stay out of war. For Hungary, he affirmed, the path forward lies in protecting normal life—quietly, constructively, and together.
Budapest Times
28-03-2025
- Business
- Budapest Times
Minister Gulyás: Small local shops will receive 1 to 3 million forints to cover operational costs
At the latest Government Info press conference, Minister of the Prime Minister's Office Gergely Gulyás announced a 1.3 percent supplementary pension increase, expected to be disbursed in November. 'This means around 40,000 forints for the average pensioner,' Minister Gulyás said, explaining that the measure aligns with the Central Bank's inflation projection of 4.5 percent for 2025. The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to preserving pensioners' purchasing power as a matter of fairness and sustainability. The briefing also addressed the government's margin price cap policy. According to the minister, price caps introduced earlier have led to reduced costs for a total of 874 products, with significant cuts observed for items such as flour, milk, and yogurt. 'These goods became 17.4 percent cheaper on average,' Minister Gulyás noted, adding that the government stands ready to introduce further measures if needed. Gulyás also condemned recent traffic blockades in Budapest. A few hundred demonstrators managed to shut down four major bridges, causing massive disruptions for tens of thousands. 'The right to assembly does not override the rights and freedoms of others,' he stressed. He suggested that if judicial interpretations permit actions that paralyze public infrastructure, the legislature will consider its options. Meanwhile, Alpár Gyopáros, government commissioner for modern settlements, introduced the relaunch of several elements of the Hungarian Village Program. These include a support scheme for small local shops, where applicants may receive 1 to 3 million forints to cover operational costs, and a program to install ATMs in every small settlement where there is demand. Gyopáros emphasized that village churches are 'the most important and proudest buildings' of many communities, and hundreds could now be renovated under a newly announced restoration initiative. On other fronts, Gulyás labeled Ukraine's potential EU accession 'absurd and nonsensical,' criticizing attempts to expedite the process. He warned such a move could severely disrupt agricultural policy and cohesion funding. He also confirmed a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak affecting 3,000 animals in northwestern Hungary and outlined restrictive measures in affected areas. Commenting on cultural controversies, Gulyás dismissed the suggestion to place a rainbow symbol resembling the Pride flag on a church as 'distasteful and cynical.' He argued the rainbow is fundamentally a Christian symbol and its political reinterpretation was inappropriate in such contexts. Touching on the ongoing public debate over surveillance metaphors in political discourse, Gulyás clarified that recent references to 'bugs' were symbolic nicknames, not literal allegations. Finally, the minister said Hungary expects over 3 billion euros in EU funds this year, although full access to disputed resources may be delayed until 2026 or 2027. He also reflected on opposition figure László Varju's by-election victory, stating, 'An election result is never the voters' fault,' but acknowledged that the ruling side 'probably did not present an appealing enough alternative.'
