The EU sanctions policy and the war are causing difficulties throughout Europe. The Orbán government is doing everything to ensure the energy supply, as well as helping families and businesses in several areas. And despite the fact that the left claims that the "economy has collapsed", this is simply not true.
The Hungarian left is talking about the fact that there is a "livelihood crisis" in our country, which was "caused by the Orbán government". Sometimes they even add that "economic policy has failed" and the cabinet has "already failed politically". The Democratic Coalition formed a shadow government to be ready to take over power at any time.
However, the reality is completely different. According to surveys, the Hungarian government is the most stable in the European Union, and it also has enormous authority behind it. This is also proven by the by-elections, which, with few exceptions, have been won by the government party candidates so far. It is true that Hungary is going through a difficult period, as is the whole of Europe. However, this cannot be blamed on the Hungarian cabinet.
The problem is the energy crisis and the war, the negative financial and economic effects of which have been multiplied by the sanctions against Russia. There is no question of a livelihood crisis in Hungary.
"The left side is on the side of war and sanctions" - it is unprecedented in the history of Hungarian democracy that the campaign of the entire Hungarian left was financed from abroad - stated the prime minister in his counter-reply.
The other day, the Central Statistical Office announced that the average gross salary in July was half a million forints. Considering the 13.7 percent inflation, average real earnings increased by 1.4 percent on an annual basis. If we look at the first seven months, real wages showed an increase of 6.9 percent, i.e. they made a significant contribution to the growth of consumption. It is also good news that the war raging in the neighboring country has so far not affected the development of the labor market. The number of employed people exceeded 4.7 million people in August for three consecutive months, while the unemployment rate remains low, even compared to EU member states. In addition to all this, the government is also aware of the unfavorable conditions.
Among other things, the Minister of Finance Mihály Varga talked about the need to touch on next year's budget at the meeting of economists and wanderers. The public budget deficit will be higher than the originally calculated 4.9 percent. The reason for this is that our country is forced to purchase a significant amount of additional gas. The difficulty is exactly the price of energy and guaranteeing security of supply.
Facts support the fact that the price of energy is increased by the sanctions policy, therefore, according to the Orbán government, this should definitely be changed. The importance of the case is indicated by the fact that a national consultation on the issue is starting in our country.
However, the leaders of the European Union think differently, they think that the measures against Russia should be stepped up. The consequence of this, however, is what could be experienced in recent months, i.e.: European energy prices will continue to rise and inflationary pressure will increase.
The cabinet introduced several measures to help Hungarian families and businesses. This includes, among others, the maintenance of utility reduction to the level of average consumption, the price cap for fuels and certain foodstuffs, the interest rate cap, the firewood program and the support of energy-intensive enterprises.
Source and full article: Magyar Nemzet
Featured image: MH/Tamás Purger
