Speaking at the National Municipal Forum, the prime minister argued that Hungary’s governing parties already have a numerical majority among voters, but success depends on turning that support into turnout. He said the election would be a “mobilization contest,” stressing that even the strongest national leadership cannot win alone without active engagement from local leaders across towns, villages, and city districts.
Prime Minister Orbán emphasized that Hungary’s strength lies in its nationwide presence, particularly in rural areas. He contrasted this with opposition forces that, in his view, lack deep local roots and firsthand knowledge of regional problems. According to the prime minister, governing a country without strong municipal networks is impossible, as real authority and trust are built through local experience rather than short campaign tours.
Reflecting on the past 15 years, PM Orbán highlighted what he described as a major transformation of Hungary’s municipal system since 2010. He recalled that local governments once carried massive debt, much of it in foreign currency, leaving communities exposed to financial instability. He said the national government’s decision to assume municipal debt was one of its most important achievements, creating a system that is now financially stable by European standards.
Looking ahead, the prime minister said incremental adjustments would not be enough. Instead of “fine-tuning,” he called for a comprehensive reassessment of the local government framework after the 2026 election, based on broad consultations with municipalities. The goal, he said, is to clearly redefine responsibilities, funding, and development priorities so that ambitious long-term projects can move forward.
The prime minister also warned that a change in government would endanger what he called Hungary’s solidarity-based economic model, including special taxes on banks and multinational corporations. He argued that these mechanisms allow stronger sectors and wealthier regions to support smaller towns and villages, preserving balanced national development.
The central theme of the speech was security. PM Orbán repeatedly stressed that Hungary must stay out of both the war in neighboring Ukraine and its financing. He warned that European efforts to fund the conflict through debt would burden future generations and divert resources away from Hungarian communities.
Concluding his remarks, the prime minister said the governing parties would campaign with calm, discipline, and clear plans, insisting that Hungary’s future depends on peace, financial sovereignty, and a strong alliance between the national government and local leaders.