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Here's the English version of Hungary's national consultation on the protection of the family

Since its inauguration, Hungary’s government has always paid special attention to the protection and support of families raising children. This is why we have introduced family tax benefits and doubled the overall family support compared to its level in 2010. Now we have the opportunity through further provisions to support Hungarian families.

Let’s decide together about our future. Please fill in the form below!

1. Demographic decline is a significant problem in Europe and Hungary. According to Brussels bureaucrats, demographic decline should be resolved through the resettlement of immigrants. This is why Brussels promotes a permanent resettlement mechanism and a European immigration agency to manage continuous migration. We, however, believe that instead of immigration we need to increase support for families bringing up children and to promote child rearing.

Do you agree that demographic decline should not be resolved through immigration but through more robust support for families?

2. It’s good for children that as they grow up they get to see their parents leave for work. This wasn’t always the case in Hungary. The government’s goal is to create a balance of work and family. That’s why the Hungarian state has tied family support to employment, which has contributed to the fact that, since 2010, child rearing has increased while unemployment has dropped from 12 percent to below 4 percent.

Do you agree that new family support programs should also be tied to employment?

3. According to studies, young Hungarians would like to have more children than what they can ultimately take on. At the same time, people are putting off the time when they are choosing to have children. Many believe that the reason for this is that starting an independent life and a family present serious financial challenges to young people. For that reason, we should help young people with a significant, even 5-10 million HUF, zero-interest loan to begin an independent life so that they could have children earlier, if they would like.

Do you agree that young, married couples should get support in starting an independent life?

4. It’s a difficult task for mothers to care for a family and, at the same time, work a job outside the home. Mothers who are raising children while holding a job outside the home merit special attention. Many believe that it’s worth considering recognizing the efforts of working mothers who are also raising three or more children by offering them life-long benefits.

Do you agree that more support should be given to families with more children?

Do you agree that mothers with three or more children should be given increased support?

5. There are many mothers in Hungary, who raise four, five or more children after years spent in employment. Caring for four children equals a full-time job. That’s why it’s worth considering that the state should sponsor full-time motherhood through higher material allowances.

Do you support the idea that the state should recognize the institution of genuine, full-time motherhood?

6. Many believe it’s important that parents have the option of returning to their jobs as soon as possible following childbirth. The government took this idea into account when adopting ‘maternity leave extra’ (GYED extra) in 2014. The essence of the program is that while receiving maternity leave and child benefits (GYES), parents can go back to work without any limitation. There are many who think that additional measures should be implemented to support the employment of mothers raising children.

Do you agree that the government should support the employment of mothers raising children?

7. The home care of sick children unfit for self-care is a laudable service. We want to express our appreciation for those who take care of their chronically ill children at home. For this reason, the government has decided that from next January the fee provided for care of children at home (GYOD) should be increased to a gross monthly payment of 100 thousand HUF. The goal is that by 2022 the amount of this support reaches the minimum wage.

Do you agree that family members caring for ill children at home should receive more support?

8. Children are exposed to more and more danger, even if parents do everything they can to keep them from harm’s way. According to Hungary’s Fundamental Law, “all children have the right to appropriate protection and care for the sake of their physical, mental and moral development.” The government considers it a priority to regularly review the situation of child protection in Hungary and take a firm stand against phenomena that threaten children’s health and development.

Do you agree that our children’s mental, moral and physical development is a value that should be protected by the Hungarian state?

9. Children’s interests are often disregarded. According to Hungary’s Fundamental Law, “parents are obliged to take care of their underage children.” Many believe that this has to be extended with the child’s right to grow up in a family, possibly in the loving care of a mother and father.

Do you agree with the basic tenet that children have the right to a mother and a father?

10. The Socialist-Liberal government that took power in 2002 withdrew family tax benefits and other family support measures. Many believe that one of the prerequisites to responsible child rearing is dependability and security. Therefore, financial support for families raising children should receive the protection of requiring a two-thirds legislative majority to change the law.

Do you agree that financial support for families raising children should receive the protection of requiring a two-thirds majority?