Prime Minister Viktor Orbán appeared on Kossuth Radio on Friday, in a special broadcast from Cluj-Napoca, where he spoke about Hungary’s neighbourhood policy, economic plans, and ongoing political controversies.
The prime minister, who will attend the RMDSZ Congress in Transylvania, said it was his duty to participate in major events organized by Hungarian communities abroad. He also expressed appreciation for the attendance of the Romanian prime minister, calling it an honour, and noted that while relations between Hungary and Romania are complex, Hungary remains committed to peaceful coexistence and mutual prosperity.
Orbán compared good neighbourly relations to the value of one’s property, saying that just as a good neighbour raises a home’s worth, stable relations enhance regional success. He stressed that Hungary benefits when Romania’s economy thrives, dismissing claims that Hungary lags behind its eastern neighbour. Speaking on the Romanian economy, he said that instability and political turbulence had harmed growth, though he expressed confidence in the Romanian government’s ability to restore balance.
Turning to domestic matters, Orbán introduced what he called the ‘magical number three’ of Hungary’s economic policy: a 3 per cent fixed-rate loan programme to support both homeownership and small business investment. The loans, capped at 150 million forints, are designed to boost competitiveness and stimulate growth. He highlighted that Hungary can simultaneously launch these programmes and carry out what he described as Europe’s largest tax cut.
Orbán reiterated his support for Hungary’s flat tax system, saying that simplicity and fairness should guide taxation. Those earning more, he argued, should pay proportionally more without punitive redistribution. Governments, he said, should let citizens decide how to use their own money rather than taking and reallocating it.
On tourism, the prime minister praised the sector’s performance, noting that it now accounts for roughly 13 per cent of Hungary’s GDP, an achievement he attributed to the dedication of professionals in the field.
In discussing current political tensions, Orbán sharply criticized the Tisza Party, alleging that it seeks to replace Hungary’s national government with one aligned with Brussels and Kyiv. He warned that some EU leaders want Hungary to finance Ukraine’s war effort, a move his government opposes. He called for public support through the ongoing national consultation, saying that voters deserve to know each party’s stance on taxes and the economy.
Addressing agriculture, Orbán said Hungary must defend its farmers from potential threats posed by Ukraine’s EU accession. He warned that uncontrolled competition could bankrupt hundreds of thousands of farmers and undermine Hungary’s agricultural base.
Orbán also accused Ukraine of meddling in Hungarian politics, claiming that Kyiv and Brussels are working to help the Tisza Party into government. Referring to the party’s recent data leak, he remarked that ‘the Ukrainians are already inside your smartphone,’ underscoring what he sees as a national security risk.
He dismissed Brussels’ portrayal of Tisza leader Péter Magyar as a political victim, calling such claims absurd. Orbán argued that the ongoing immunity case involving Magyar concerns theft, not politics, and criticized the European Parliament for shielding him, saying ‘they protect their own.’
The interview ended on a lighter note as Orbán congratulated Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai for winning the Nobel Prize in Literature, calling the achievement ‘a tremendous honour for the nation’. He said such recognition, like Olympic gold medals, reflects Hungary’s enduring creativity and contribution to humanity.
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