The opposition Socialist-Párbeszéd alliance sees Europe as a social and cooperative community that guarantees the financial and physical security of its citizens, the Socialist (MSZP) party leader told current news channel M1, using the slot allotted to his party to present its programme for the May 26 European parliamentary elections.
Bertalan Tóth, who also tops the Socialist-Párbeszéd list of MEP candidates, said the ruling Fidesz party’s engagement with “extremist politicians” and the party’s shift to the right served no purpose other than to diminish common European norms so that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán can go on “building his empire” and enriching his family and friends.
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He said that in the meantime thousands are evicted from their homes, the country’s health-care system is in ruins and Hungarian wages do not even reach two-thirds of the European average.
A “social Europe” would mean introducing a European minimum wage of at least 240,000 forints (EUR 740) and a minimum pension of 95,000 forints. A European family allowance of 48,000 forints should also be introduced, Tóth said.
“We are also calling for measures ensuring that EU funds are spent on health care, education and the improvement of the working environment instead of enriching the prime minister and his circle of cronies,” Tóth said. To ensure transparency, Hungary should join the European Prosecutor’s office, he said.
Regarding illegal migration, Tóth said border protection in Europe should be a joint responsibility of the bloc.
In the featured photo: Bertalan Tóth. Photo by Márton Mónus/MTI