Prime Minister Orbán shared insights from the recent government session held in Geszt, where the primary focus was aligning internal and external policies. He acknowledged the temptation to concentrate on foreign affairs, especially given the current geopolitical climate, but reiterated that the government's priority must remain on the economy. "We are reviewing each ministry’s plans for the next six months," he said, emphasizing the necessity of economic stability over foreign distractions.
The prime minister pointed to the European Union's "economic cold war" as a significant challenge. According to him, this internal conflict has the potential to be the most damaging for Europe and Hungary alike. The slowing of global trade directly affects product sales, which in turn impacts the incomes of Hungarian families. “This is why we are building economic neutrality,” PM Orbán explained, adding that the goal is to insulate Hungary from these pressures while fostering domestic growth.
Addressing migration, PM Orbán maintained Hungary's firm stance against Brussels' migration policies. He warned that if the EU continues its approach, Hungary would take drastic measures. "We will deliver migrants to the main square of Brussels if they continue to persecute us," he declared, emphasizing Hungary’s unwillingness to accept forced resettlement plans. The prime minister also highlighted the potential collapse of the European Union — not from poor economic policy but from unchecked migration, which could destabilize the continent.
"People will not tolerate the settlement of foreigners," the prime minister added, referencing Austria's recent election results where anti-migration parties gained significant ground.
On the economic front, PM Orbán argued that economic neutrality can drive Hungary’s performance, with potential growth rates between 3 percent and 6 percent. This growth, according to the prime minister, translates into higher wages and improved living standards.
PM Orbán emphasized that Hungary must continue to protect its position and strive for success. "If we achieve 4 percent growth next year while Western countries stagnate, it will be hard to bring Hungary back into the bloc,” he said, stressing the significance of economic success for Hungary’s autonomy.
The prime minister also highlighted Hungary’s mixed economic performance across various sectors. While the tourism industry had a record year, and the food industry remains strong, the automotive sector is facing difficulties. However, PM Orbán assured that these issues would be addressed. He recalled the country’s high unemployment rate in 2010 when his government took office and contrasted it with today’s situation, where job vacancies exceed the number of workers available.
"We have good, well-trained, and disciplined workers, which is why Hungary is growing," he remarked.
Another major point of PM Orbán’s interview was the government’s successful battle against inflation, bringing it below 10 percent. He pointed out that shielding the population from runaway price increases has been a key priority.
“We managed to protect people from skyrocketing prices,” the prime minister stated. He also discussed the need to sustain wage growth by negotiating agreements with employers and employees alike, with the goal of reaching an average salary of HUF 1 million within the next two to three years.
Shifting to foreign policy, Prime Minister Orbán commented on the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, reiterating Hungary’s position as a strong advocate for peace. He expressed little hope for a resolution based on the current stance of the warring sides but emphasized the role of international players in facilitating peace talks.
He praised the formation of the "Friends of Peace" group, led by countries like China and Brazil, which seeks to guide the situation toward peaceful negotiations. PM Orbán noted that this group could gain even more influence, particularly if favorable outcomes emerge from the upcoming U.S. election.
“We are building a large international coalition that could steer things toward peace,” he said, underscoring Hungary’s commitment to peace-building efforts.