PM Orbán began his speech by acknowledging the evolving landscape of Europe, highlighting the recent election victory of Giorgia Meloni and the Italian right. This outcome, which he described as "fantastic," marked a crucial moment for Hungary, which had longed for a like-minded, family-loving government in Italy.
PM Orbán stressed the common understanding between Hungary and Italy that the future of Europe hinges on strong families, as both nations recognize the importance of a child having both a mother and a father.
The Budapest Demographic Summit drew attention from across the world, due to the globally recognized issues surrounding children and the family. According to the prime minister, criticism of Hungary's pro-family and patriotic stance only strengthens their resolve.
As to the European elite's priorities, PM Orbán likened their concerns to the Soviets' misguided attempts to alter the course of rivers. He pointed to the European Parliament's past decision to allow men to have children, comparing it to the Soviets' folly. PM Orbán also referenced the European Commission's stance on the word "Christmas," suggesting that it is not LGBTQ-friendly enough and lacks neutrality.
Prime Minister Orbán argued that European citizens are primarily interested in starting families and raising children safely, yet this topic remains underrepresented in European politics. He attributed this imbalance to the Western political mindset, which has been infiltrated and "hacked" by progressive liberals who prioritize individualism and fear for the future.
The prime minister said that liberals promote the idea that individual desires are paramount and view any limitation on these desires as tyranny. However, limitations can provide stability and direction in life, Orbán said.
Highlighting the need for social connections, Orbán said that true freedom requires the presence of others, as solitude leads to loneliness. He argued that progressive liberals are fostering irrational fears about the future by prioritizing individual pleasure and profit without a broader societal perspective.
PM Orbán also criticized the Western elite's fixation on issues such as carbon quotas and gender quotas, diverting attention from what he deemed the most critical challenge: demography. He underscored the importance of the Budapest Demographic Summit in light of this.
Hungary, Orbán said, serves as an incubator for conservative policies and projects of the future. He outlined five key targets in Hungary's family policy, including incentivizing childbirth, aiding in home ownership, prioritizing mothers in family policy, promoting family-friendliness nationwide, and ensuring legal protection for families.
Orbán proudly announced that since the introduction of these policies, the income of families with children has significantly increased, and one in five families has acquired a new home. The proportion of children born to married parents has also risen.
One of the most significant announcements during the speech was the extension of the personal income tax (PIT) exemptions for mothers. Previously introduced for mothers under 30 and those with four children, PM Orbán pledged to extend this exemption to mothers with three children.
PM Orbán also pointed out that these family policies have resulted in 156,000 more children born in Hungary than without their implementation, though the nation still faces the challenge of reaching the desired fertility rate of 2.1. In 2010, the fertility rate stood at 1.23, while the same figure for 2021 was 1.59. This was the highest increase in the EU over this timeframe, he said.
In closing, Orbán emphasized the importance of the fight for children, urging a shift away from the liberal discourse that he believes impedes family growth. He expressed the need to replace current liberal elites with family-friendly and conservative forces, working collectively to reshape Europe's family policies.