Following the inauguration of the prime minister, the ministers of the fourth Orbán Government were also sworn in last week.
As the EU’s economic center is sliding gradually eastwards, PM Orbán said, it’s clear that Hungary and this region are Europe’s future, which imposes a great responsibility on the new cabinet. “We have been engaged in radical transformations, fierce battles and arduous work; but a new era, a new technological age has begun, which will demand from us an even more courageous spirit of renewal and even more change,” he said, “not only technological, but that we must also face up to threats of a security and spiritual nature.”
On his fourth government’s priorities, the prime minister underlined the continued importance of border protection and security. “Mass migration will remain a threat for Europe in the years to come,” so “today we need the strengthening of defence capabilities, the steadfast guarding of borders and the cool-headed management of security risks,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of safeguarding those ways of life that “spring from Christian articles of faith, therefore defending human dignity, the family, faith communities and the nation.”
Introducing the new cabinet, Prime Minister Orbán said that the new ministers are all professionals who have already demonstrated their competences in practice, so “buttons are chosen for the coat and not vice versa.” They were selected “to serve together with people who all believe that the greatest thing in our lives is that we were born Hungarian.” The new government will have “only one yardstick,” he said, “a Hungary of increasing strength and performance.” Hungarian interests, however, are framed within the European context. “For us Hungary comes first,” Prime Minister Orbán said, “but through our work we also want to strengthen Europe.”
The prime minister asked Andrea Bártfai-Mager to be minister for National Assets “in order to shape Hungary’s asset management strategy and to preserve and operate our strategic assets.”
Minister Sándor Pintér, who continues as the interior Minister, becomes deputy prime minister and head of the National Security Cabinet. He “is responsible for the security of us all,” both within and at the borders, the prime minister said.
Miklós Kásler will “oversee, coordinate and direct the machinery” of the Ministry of Human Capacities, which is responsible for the education and health sectors.
Minister of Defence Tibor Benkő, former chief of staff of the Hungarian Defence Forces, will focus on the modernization of Hungary’s armed forces.
János Süli will serve as minister for enlargement of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. This task is “essential to preserve reductions in household utility bills and to increase the competitiveness of Hungarian businesses through cheap energy,” the prime minister said.
“It will be the responsibility of Minister László Trócsányi to protect the country’s legal sovereignty, especially in Europe, as well as to evaluate the functioning of the new Fundamental Law and the new judicial system,” according to the prime minister.
Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Cabinet for National Strategy Zsolt Semjén will be “responsible for the anchor line that during our practical work prevents us drifting further than we should from our ideological starting points,” PM Orbán said.
Mihály Varga, minister of Finance and deputy prime minister heading the Cabinet for National Economy, will be focus on “financial stability, a predictable budget, a low budget deficit and falling government debt.”
Heading the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, László Palkovics’s mission is to place the Hungarian economy “at the forefront in the creative and adaptive adoption of new technologies.”
The task of preserving Hungarian land and passing it to future generations falls to Minister István Nagy, whose policies shall “value farmers, reward hard work, be open to new technologies, reconcile different types of agricultural businesses and also defend our interests in Brussels.”
Minister Antal Rogán will continue to head the Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister where his central task will be to keep the government attuned to the will of the citizens, building on points of popular consensus.
Hungary needs independent foreign policy that represents our national interests as well as effective foreign trade policy in a competitive international arena. Minister Péter Szijjártó will continue in that role.
Minister Gergely Gulyás, the new Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office will “be in charge of strategic planning,” not only concerning ministries, but the entire country, “to maintain a culture of respect and cooperation.”
The members of the fourth government take on, as the prime minister said, “both a mission and a service.” Here’s wishing them success!