Public Input Sought on the Country’s Independent Economic Path

On Monday, the national consultation on Hungary’s economic future and the foundations of its economic policy officially launches. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán presented the questionnaires on Friday and asked for the views of the Hungarian public so that the government can launch its policy of economic neutrality by empowering the people. Origo took a look at the most important topics of the consultation.

During the national consultation, the government asks questions on ensuring economic independence and on the ability of Hungarian economic policy to withstand EU and global pressure. Brussels has tried to define Hungary’s position on various issues in recent years, but Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that economic matters should not be influenced by ideological questions.

The aim of neutrality is to maintain Hungary’s trade relations with both the East and the West, so that it can achieve above-average growth in the EU.

The questionnaires also address issues such as the maintenance of the family tax allowance and the 13th month pension. Fidesz parliamentary group leader Máté Kocsis said that economic growth, raising wages, supporting businesses, and providing housing for young people would also be given priority. According to him, Hungary’s economic neutrality is the basis for maintaining the family support system, which would provide an opportunity to double family tax benefits and to make the 13th month pension permanent.

The government also asks how wage increases can be supported. According to Máté Kocsis, it is a realistic goal for the minimum wage to reach HUF 400,000 (EUR 989) in the short term and for the average wage to reach HUF 1 million (EUR 2,474).

A new agreement with employers, whereby wages would increase predictably from year to year, would help the economy move forward.

One of the priorities of the consultation is to improve the situation of young people. Among the issues is interest-free work credit, providing free access for young people taking up work. The government would also support housing schemes, providing state-subsidized loans at preferential interest rates to help young people get their first home. Mr. Kocsis said affordable housing programs, such as the construction of dormitories, could also help young people to access home ownership.

Besides housing, family support is another contentious issue in Hungarian domestic politics.

The politician pointed out that while Brussels is trying to solve the problems of population and labor market through mass migration, Hungary would support families. The consultation also asks people’s views on extending family tax allowances, which could be doubled in two stages.

Underlining the importance of the national consultation, Fidesz-KDNP Communications Director Tamás Menczer noted that it was a fast-track democratic tool to ensure that the government could make decisions with the support of the people.

Balázs Hidvéghi, Secretary of State in the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office, stressed that maintaining free trade with both the West and the East was vital for Hungary’s economic growth. Building on the results of the consultation, the government can defend its policy of above-EU average growth.

 

Milán Pálfalvi, an analyst at the Nézőpont Institute, added that the national consultation gives the government legitimacy to take a strong stance on domestic and foreign policy issues, such as EU debates. This ensures Hungarian sovereignty and gives the government the opportunity to act according to the will of the population.

He stressed that during the national consultation, the people have a decisive role, as their answers to the questionnaire can in some cases become a referendum or a basis for legislation. It is an institutionalized political questionnaire that provides answers on issues that affect people’s daily lives and can lead to fundamental decisions on issues such as family support, immigration, and economic issues.

Via Origo; Featured image via Pexels