“This is the Hungarian story: Yet still…” Prime Minister Orbán said, using the phrase to encapsulate a nation’s endurance through war, economic hardship, and political pressure. He praised the persistence that allowed construction to proceed despite political and administrative turbulence.
Reflecting on the Modern Cities Program launched nine years ago, the prime minister emphasized its decentralized planning model, with local priorities determining investments. Szekszárd, he noted, received over 22 billion forints in development funding, including 7.5 billion for the swimming complex, contributing to a dramatic drop in unemployment and an economic revitalization of the region.
Looking ahead to the 2026 elections, Prime Minister Orbán presented a clear dichotomy: either follow Western Europe’s example, risking higher taxes and eroded national sovereignty, or continue Hungary’s national path. “If we go their way, we will lose not only our peace and security but also our opportunities,” he warned, criticizing the EU’s migration and fiscal policies.
Urging continued support for national governance, he concluded, “If there is enough courage to continue what we started, then, just as in the past 100 years, yet still, we will reach all our goals.”
With a nod to Szekszárd’s legacy and future, PM Orbán tied local progress to national destiny, calling the swimming pool not just a facility, but a shared commitment to Hungary’s direction.