President János Áder wished Hungarians a Happy New Year in his New Year’s Day address.
In a public media broadcast just after midnight, the president urged citizens to “say ‘no’ to all things that poison our everyday lives” and to “say ‘yes’ to all things that are the way we want to see the future, our own and our children’s lives”.
The president said Hungarians could also say “no” to frugality, cynicism, short-sighted thinking and actions that offend “our fellow citizens in their religion, identity and dignity”.
The president said the nation could also reject “the irresponsible exploitation of our environment” or the “ruthless reality "poisoning [of] our waters, polluting the air and exhausting our future”.
Hungarians can say “yes” to “the peace of our homes, taking care of one another, recognizing achievements, fair competition and good intentions that help our friends,” he concluded.