Following Far-right party Mi Hazánk, the Socialists have also started criticizing the Orbán government for the lockdown measures in effect. The party’s MEP called for the review of the current restrictions.
István Ujhelyi believes that during the epidemic “the government has exploited” and shown no solidarity towards the service sector which has reached its limit, so now actions must be taken.
The politician called the government’s restrictions imposed last November ‘reckless,’ adding that it is time for a deliberate and clever redesign of the regulations for certain services.
As an example, Ujhelyi mentioned the government decree that introduced restrictions that allow religious communities to hold their rites “in accordance with the general rules” but at their own discretion.
According to Ujhelyi, if the operators of theaters, cinemas, circuses, dance and music performances undertake to comply with strict regulations and a likely reduced revenue, then reopening them should be considered. Ujhelyi believes it is unreasonable that while we ride busy buses, children go to primary school, we line up in malls and shops one after the other, wildlife parks, zoos and outdoor attractions have to be closed.
More and more opposition parties raise their voice against the lockdown measures
Hungarian non-parliamentary far-right party Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) was the first in Hungary to openly criticize the government’s lockdown measures demanding catering places, gyms, swimming pools, theaters, and sports halls to be reopened.
On Monday, Tamás Soproni, the opposition mayor of Budapest’s VI district, also raised the issue of the possible easing of the restrictions as they have already caused enormous damage to many people in Hungary.
The liberal Momentum party’s politician emphasized that he was not asking for the lifting of restrictions, only for the government to examine whether all the current epidemiological measures are indeed necessary.
Seemingly, the political leadership understands the severity of the situation. Even Zoltán Kovács, the state secretary for international communications and relations, called the impatience of those in the food industry understandable.
But the Orbán government has long been stressing that reopening restaurants and other catering facilities depends on how quickly Hungary can get ahold of vaccines and have the population vaccinated.
Featured photo by Lajos Soós/MTI
