Ildikó Borbély Bangó told a news conference that Orbán had neglected to talk about the “catastrophic state of the health system, the tensions arising from a labour shortage or the hundreds of thousands of young people who work abroad due to their difficulties making a living”.

Neither did Orbán speak about the “shattered education system” which is determining the fate of young Hungarians and the future of their country, she added. She also complained of “political corruption” and members of the ruling Fidesz party and their families who enrich themselves.

“At the centre of this all is Viktor Orbán who directs the whole thing,” the Socialist politician said.

Orbán delivered his speech to the Băile Tusnad (Tusnádfürdő) summer university, in central Romania, on Saturday.

Fidesz said in reaction that the opposition party had attacked the prime minister because it was preparing to implement the “Soros plan”. The ruling party was referring to allegations that organisations linked to US financier George Soros planned to flood Europe with migrants.

The Fidesz statement added that the Socialist Party had never cared about the security of Hungarian families, either in government or in opposition. It said that while in government, the Socialists had ruined the lives of hundreds of thousands with their austerity policy and tax rises, foreign-currency loans and unemployment. In contrast, Fidesz has given tax breaks for families, allowances for home building and support for bringing up children, it added.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.