People should be asked whether they agree with the economic isolation represented by the leadership in Brussels, or whether we should open up to both eastern and western commercial and economic directions.

Fidesz proposes a national consultation to the government, the topics of which would include economic neutrality, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, wage increases, worker loans, housing and family subsidies, the faction leader of the larger ruling party announced on Monday.

Máté Kocsis explained during the break of the two-day Fidesz-KDNP faction meeting in Esztergom: the central topic of the discussion is the economy. The faction is united in the fact that in the economic situation that has changed since the war and Covid, new tools and new economic solutions are needed in order for the country to be successful again, he added.

At the moment, Hungary's economic prospects are good, and this provides a good basis for the introduction of measures for the further strengthening of the economy and the prosperity of the people, he said.

At the same time, it is "bad news that, in parallel, the European leadership is actually waging a trade cold war", closing itself off from the economies and trade of the Eastern world.

Máté Kocsis emphasized that Hungary's neutrality, on the other hand, is not served by seclusion, but rather by openness towards both the East and the West. Hungary must not sever its relations with either the West or the East, this will guarantee the strengthening of the country.

Fidesz believes that this is the right direction, but since these are tough questions on which people's opinions are always sought, they recommend a national consultation to the government.

Máté Kocsis explained: first of all, people should be asked whether they agree with the economic isolation represented by the Brussels leadership, or whether they agree with "opening up to both eastern and western commercial and economic directions".

People should also be asked about the support of small and medium-sized enterprises, the government's priority goal of helping domestic small and medium-sized enterprises with capital grants and new tools.

People must also be asked about the wage increase, for which a new agreement must be concluded with the employers, and work must be started with all means to ensure that the minimum wage is HUF 400,000 within the foreseeable future, and the average wage reaches HUF one million.

He noted: this may seem unattainable to many, but it is a completely realistic goal.

He indicated that he would also like to ask people about the worker's loan, about getting a freely usable, interest-free loan for young people who take up work.

The question of housing would also be included among the questions of the national consultation. He added that the government would create affordable new residences, such as dormitories, and would like to help young people get their first home with state-subsidized loans with very low interest rates.

There will also be a question about family support - said Máté Kocsis - which is a controversial issue in Hungarian domestic politics, since not only the Hungarian right and left, but also the Hungarian government and the European Commission do not agree on this issue.

He noted that the government would help Hungarian families by doubling the family tax allowance, but the inclusion of more family support tools could also be discussed.

Answering a question, Máté Kocsis expressed his hope that the government will consider the faction's proposal on the national consultation at this week's meeting.

He also said that the national consultation is needed primarily because of the expected disputes. "We need a stable position on the part of the people, because these measures will not be met with a storm of applause in Brussels".

In addition, reaching the target wages also means objectives and burdens for employers, so it is very important that people express their opinion on this matter, said Máté Kocsis.

MTI