Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also talked about the epidemic situation and the decisions made in this regard, the reduction of utility bills and the freezing of fuel prices and the payment of the 13th monthly pension in Kossuth radio's Good Morning Hungary program.

The prime minister believes that it will be inevitable that everyone gets vaccinated against the coronavirus , the only way to avoid another serious wave of infection. Anti-vaccinationists must be convinced that it is in everyone's interest. We are vaccinated against many types of deadly diseases, this saves our lives and although science is not a religion that we must necessarily believe in, we must accept what is a proven fact. It has been clearly proven that the vaccinated are much more protected than the unvaccinated.

Speaking about the fuel price freeze, Viktor Orbán said that until now the government had left the price of gasoline to the market. But you can't stand idly by as prices skyrocket, and when all experts say prices will be high for a long time, you have to react.

The price of gasoline is always included in the price of the given product, so it does not only affect motorists - pointed out the prime minister. In an emergency, you shouldn't be fooling around, he added. Orbán said that everyone in the West is also cautious about this issue. The maximum price of HUF 480 will remain for three months.

The left has always demanded a market price, while we take a different position. If the market cannot solve our problems, then we have to, and this is not a permanent state, it is only for 3 months. We don't make the people pay for the high energy prices, when there are utility cuts and gasoline price cuts, we take money from the supermarkets. The left is always on the side of the multis, said the prime minister. Before 2010, the price of gas and electricity was two or three times as much, while they promised that there would be no increase. Multis always start to protect their interests and set things up as if their interest is public interest.
You cannot handle a crisis by making people pay for it.

The Prime Minister confirmed that the Hungarian economy is also feeling the operational difficulties experienced on the world market, the rate of growth is decreasing somewhat, but it is still expected to be above 6 percent. For 2021, the decision was made that families will receive the additional income. If there is an increase of 5.5 percent, then families will get their paid taxes back. The 5.5 percent increase will definitely be enough, so there will also be a tax refund.

The opposition's attacks were also discussed, including the accusation that the restoration of the 13th month pension is just an election trick. (Which in itself is an impossibility, since the government did not start it now, it has been taking place gradually for two years - ed.) Regarding this, the Prime Minister said: The pension is not an abstract economic issue, but an emotional and social justice issue. Today's successes would not have been achieved without the previous work of the pensioners. The last wound of the previous Gyurcsány administration was the withdrawal of the 13th month pension, and the affected will receive the 13th month pension in mid-February. This is an important thing, as it shows how we think about our parents , he added.

The prime minister also spoke about supporting young people. He said that it is very difficult to start life, and help should be given in this, especially now with the social security exemption for workers under 25 years of age. "I'm glad that the economy is doing well, that we were able to give this to young people," he remarked at the end of the interview.

(Header image: MTI)