Hungary Needs Effective Solutions, Not New Brussels-Imposed Constraints

During the plenary debate on questions addressed to the European Commission on the European Pillar of Social Rights, Pál Szekeres, Member of the European Parliament for Fidesz, stressed that “in Hungary, there are already functioning, tangible answers to the questions that have been raised.”

“Since 2010, Hungary has been building a work-based society instead of a welfare-based model, because we firmly believe that where there is work, everything else follows,” the MEP stated.

Pál Szekeres pointed out that “today, one million more people are in employment than at the beginning of the decade, while the minimum wage has increased more than fourfold. Targeted programmes support the labour-market integration of young people, Roma communities and persons with disabilities, and investments — rather than new EU-imposed rules — encourage the creation of quality jobs,” he added.

On the issue of housing, the MEP highlighted that “in contrast to the Western European rental-housing model, the Hungarian government promotes access to owner-occupied housing. More than half a million families have been supported in creating a home through a wide range of programmes that can also be combined with one another — including CSOK, CSOK Plus, Rural CSOK, the Baby Loan scheme, and various home-renovation programmes. Under the new Home Start programme, a loan with a 3% interest rate helps young people purchase their first home, regardless of marital status or whether they plan to have children.”

Finally, Pál Szekeres sharply criticised certain Brussels proposals which, in his view, would undermine Hungarian families and businesses. “At Brussels’ instruction, the Tisza Party would endanger Hungarian families, businesses and wage levels through tax increases and the withdrawal of support. We want no part of this,” he concluded.