The Prime Minister gave an interview to Radio Kossuth. It discussed drought damage, housing VAT, the sustainability of utility reduction, and the end of the war. Summary.
Viktor Orbán gave an interview to Radio Kossuth on Friday morning. The other day, Brussels accepted the gas policy agreement, according to which all countries must reduce their consumption by 15 percent. Regarding this decision, the Prime Minister said that he is happy that they are trying to find pan-European solutions in Brussels, but it is better if we rely on ourselves and not on the energy supply problem being solved in Brussels;
we have to solve this"
he declared. He added that this proposal of Brussels is nothing more than an einstand, and we cannot accept it.
About the sanctions against the Russians
The prime minister explained that 155 days ago, the plan was for Ukraine to defeat Russia with American advisers and Western plans. The second plan was that the sanctions would shake Moscow. The third is that we can adapt to sanctions. The fourth is that the world joins the sanctions.
None of them came true: the Russians are not in a state of defeat, the sanctions did not shake Russia, the world is not with us."
The Prime Minister stated that the West's strategy had failed and that it would be necessary again.
Regarding the sanctions, he illustrated the situation with an analogy: you don't use flamethrowers to put out fires either. He stated that peace must be made, an agreement must be made, and that until there are Russian-American negotiations, there is little chance of ending the war.
Our problem is the price
The Prime Minister also made a statement about the gas situation in Hungary: he said that Hungary will have enough gas, and we will not have a problem with that, since Péter Szijjártó has been building alternative routes for years. He explained that a Turkish-Serbian route has been built in recent years, and we have also concluded an agreement with the Croatians.
Our problem is the price"
stated the Prime Minister.
About the overhead reduction
Orbán explained that the government has many plans, a program has been prepared for the extraction of firewood, a boiler program is being prepared, but he explained that this is a plan for the future:
now the overhead reduction must be defended”.
The Prime Minister reported that they had built a smart system with overhead reduction, which they were able to maintain for 10 years. They determined the price that families had to pay. Until now, they were able to maintain this price by replacing the price from the state treasury.
"This cost HUF 250 billion annually, but this has now jumped to HUF 2,000 billion. This can no longer be managed," he declared. He explained that this is why the government decided to maintain the reduced utility price until average consumption.
Orbán added that
In October, it will be decided whether Europe will drift into a war economy,
until then, the government can defend the utility reduction. Regarding the retail price, he noted that the government created it so that the service providers could not profit from the high prices.
Referring to the previous left-wing governments, the Prime Minister explained that there are governments that spread their arms in crisis situations and say that "you see, people, this is the situation, let's suffer the calamities together". In this regard, he stated that "we are defending ourselves", the government is fighting to protect the utility reduction and the standard of living of the Hungarian people.
The housing tax will remain
The prime minister made an important announcement regarding the housing VAT: "The housing VAT will be five percent for the next two years, so those who are building do not have to rush, the government has experienced this recently," announced Viktor Orbán. He added:
The government is thereby supporting the slowing housing market.
He predicted that such and similar crisis management measures could be expected in the future.
About the end of the war
The Prime Minister stated that the Anglo-Saxons still believe that this war can be won. He explained that the Americans are financing the war: they have given 50 billion dollars to the Ukrainians so far, but he questioned whether the Americans will continue this strategy:
But in the second half of the year, or in 2023, I don't know who will provide this"
said the prime minister. He stated that Europe certainly does not, because Europe does not have that much money. Orbán explained that he hopes that this year's midterm elections will bring about a change in this perception in America.
About drought and agriculture
The Prime Minister explained that the government assessed the drought damage; and it can be declared that there is no danger, they can supply the population with food. However, regarding the damage to the farmers, he noted that the compensation fund was exhausted. In connection with this, the government created a working group whose task is to take measures to help farmers. Orbán reported that the working group is expected to decide within a week,
and the farmers will get help in every way.
Featured image: MTI/Prime Minister's Press Office/Benko Vivien Cher
