Magyar called Tisza "the party of peace" and pledged to lead "a government of peace".

Unlike ruling Fidesz and the Christian Democrats, his party did not support reintroducing conscription, he said.

Magyar also said Tisza had never backed any decision that facilitated illegal migration. "The border fence will be maintained," he said, vowing to recover its cost "from Brussels". Further, detained people smugglers would not be released, he said, and the party "does not support Ukraine's fast-tracked EU accession."

Magyar outlined plans to replace the "Orban tax hikes" with tax cuts, reducing VAT on healthy food from 27 percent to 5 percent and eliminating VAT on prescription medicines. Their plans also include strengthening V4 cooperation, he added.

He said a Tisza government would prioritise Hungarian workers over foreign guest labour, Hungarian businesses over multinational corporations, and "honest, hardworking Hungarians" such as nurses, doctors, and teachers over oligarchs.

The party, he added, would push for affordable housing, competitive jobs, a functional health-care system, and education, as well as inflation-proof pensions and the introduction of the euro as a stable currency.

Magyar said pensions would increase in real terms, personal income tax would be cut for 2.2 million people through tax credits, and a national asset recovery and protection office established.

Addressing the upcoming cold snap, Magyar said Tisza Party volunteers were distributing 1,000 cubic metres of firewood to those in need in the coming days.

Asked about potential cabinet appointments, Magyar responded that Tisza assigned tasks, not positions. He said he aimed to name heads for foreign affairs and economic development in January, and for education and justice in February.

The Tisza leader also ruled out "super-ministries". Instead, education, health care, culture, environmental protection, and rural development would each have their own ministry, he added.

Alleging years of budgetary "castles in the air", Magyar insisted that no austerity measures would be necessary, and he expressed confidence in swiftly securing the release of 8,000 billion forints in EU funds earmarked for Hungary, contingent on combatting corruption, ensuring the independence of universities and the judiciary, and guaranteeing press freedom.

Slamming Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Magyar accused him of focusing on "eight-dimensional conspiracy theories" at his international press conference on Monday, rather than addressing everyday issues such as the lack of disinfectant and toilet paper in hospitals, the collapse of the MAV railway network, or the absence of GPs in hundreds of villages.

Under Orban's leadership, Magyar argued, Hungary had become "Europe's most corrupt and poorest country", losing 800 billion forints in EU funds over the past two years, money that could have been spent on roads, schools, and hospitals.

Orban's promises of an economic take-off, Russian-Ukrainian peace, and curbing inflation in late 2024 had failed to materialise, he said.

Inflation remained one of the highest rates in Europe, while the economy had stagnated since 2022, he said. Magyar added that billions had vanished from the Hungarian central bank, while thousands of children in state care had suffered abuse.

Magyar also condemned Orban for abandoning Hungarians in Transylvania and, more recently, those in Slovakia, where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's government was threatening them with six months' imprisonment for criticising the Benes decrees, which declare collective Hungarian guilt.

In response to a question from the Hungarian-language Slovak news portal Parameter, Magyar announced he would send an open letter to Fico on Tuesday, demanding the withdrawal of the law violating Hungarian rights and leaving space for Orban’s signature.

Magyar said a Tisza government would support measures aiding Hungarians beyond the border but would entrust the distribution of financing to local communities rather than the "Budapest mafia".

Magyar pledged international action and diplomatic pressure to repeal the Slovak legislation, including launching infringement proceedings against Slovakia at the European Commission and expelling the Slovak ambassador if the law were not revoked.

Finally, Magyar confirmed that a Tisza government would compensate former state wards who suffered abuse. He also pledged to cap the prime minister's salary at 2.5 million forints -- lower than that of the Austrian chancellor -- while benefits for MPs and state secretaries would be tied to the teachers' pay scale.

Zoltan Tanacs, the party's expert coordinating the government preparations, told the press conference that Tisza sought to nominate professionals who had accustomed to an international environment but were also familiar with domestic conditions to leading positions.

No super-ministries like the current interior ministry would be established, he said, though one would be independently responsible for IT and digitalisation. Only leaders would be replaced, and ordinary employees did not have to fear any retaliation, he added.

Andras Karman, the party's economic expert, said Hungary could benefit from adopting the euro, and the relevant budget path would be set after examining the budget situation in the first hundred days of government.
 

MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.

Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.

XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com
 

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