“In this speech, war was mentioned more often than the economy,” he said, warning that the European Commission’s priorities now include financing Ukraine above all else, extending Brussels’ control over member states, and sidelining national sovereignty. He also predicted increased political pressure on dissenting governments and growing restrictions on freedom of opinion.
According to Minister Bóka, this approach will further entrench low growth and trigger job losses across the Union. Political confidence in the Commission’s leadership is weakening, he added, noting that von der Leyen now faces two no-confidence motions. “Europe is weaker today than it was a year ago,” he concluded.
Following the discussion of EU affairs, Minister Gergely Gulyás turned to recent developments in European security, affirming Hungary’s full solidarity with Poland after a Russian drone breached Polish airspace. “We stand with Poland unconditionally,” he stated.
The minister also addressed the recent incident in Qatar. “Hungary stands by Qatar,” he said, condemning the action as a violation of the Gulf state’s sovereignty. Minister Gulyás reiterated that Hungary remains committed to diplomatic solutions and emphasized that achieving peace must remain the priority.
On the domestic front, the minister announced that Hungary’s largest homeownership program since the regime change is now underway. The Home Start scheme, offering fixed 3% mortgage loans, received more than 5,000 applications in its first week alone, an unprecedented figure in such a short time. The program has already spurred plans for nearly 30,000 new housing units, with developers expected to reach 50,000 in the coming weeks.
Minister Gulyás noted that the program benefits not only those seeking to buy homes, but also renters, as pressure on the rental market has eased. Most new constructions will meet the scheme’s criteria, creating significant momentum in the construction sector.
Finally, he announced that a national consultation on tax fairness will begin in early October, following public concern over opposition plans to raise taxes. Questionnaires will be mailed to households nationwide, and the minister emphasized the need for a broad democratic debate on tax policy.