Orbán hopes new cabinet not to "squander 16 years of achievements"

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said he hopes the country’s new government will not “waste” the achievements of the past 16 years, as he pushed back against claims that Hungary is facing economic and social decline.

In a video address broadcast by Hungarian television, Orbán responded to the first day in office of the cabinet led by Péter Magyar, listing what he described as key successes under his tenure, Calbier.Az reports per foreign media.

He said more than one million jobs had been created, household energy prices had been kept low through regulated gas and electricity tariffs, and families with children had received significant tax breaks.

He also highlighted income tax exemptions for under-25s, alongside the introduction of 13th and 14th month pension payments and subsidised mortgage loans for young families at around 3%.

Orbán added that average wages had risen several-fold since 2010, claiming minimum pay had increased by 4.5 times and average salaries by around four times. He also cited higher public-sector pay, saying doctors’ salaries now average around 2 million forints (over €5,500) and teachers’ salaries about 1 million forints (around €2,800).

He further stated that state assets had been doubled, strategic infrastructure such as airports and energy firms had been brought back under domestic ownership, and Hungary’s gold reserves had risen from 3 tonnes to more than 100 tonnes. He also claimed the country’s foreign currency reserves were at record highs and described Hungary as “the safest country in Europe”, saying it has no migrants.

“Our record speaks for itself,” Orbán said. “From today, Hungary is governed by a liberal government. Let us hope it does not squander what patriotic forces have built over the past 16 years.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev