Magyar was asked, after a press briefing at the ministry buildings in Buda Castle, for his reaction to a Facebook post by former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who wrote that Magyar "talks nonsense" and that the previous government had not "plundered" but "elevated" the country.

The former prime minister also announced that, like members of his government, he would donate his severance pay to a children's home in the Carpathian Basin.

Magyar responded that Hungarians were well aware of the reality and European statistics showing that Hungary had become the "poorest and most corrupt country".

Citing data from the Central Statistical Office, he noted that 400,000 children and nearly one million pensioners live in deep poverty, while almost three million people live below the subsistence level.

For the past four years, he added, there had been precious little economic growth, while Hungary recorded the highest food price inflation in Europe, and 700,000–800,000 people had been forced to seek work abroad.

"It's worth facing reality," he said.

Developments had taken place, he said, but this was to be expected after 16 years during which the world saw a boom decade and Hungary received large amounts of EU funding. But, looking at Poland, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states, he said it was clear where Hungary could have been "if a significant portion of the money had not been stolen".

"You don't need to convince me," he said, addressing Orban. "You need to convince the Hungarian people."

The government's task now was to perform better, more honestly, and to take much better care of public funds, Magyar said. "If someone still dips into the honey pot, there must be consequences -- immediate and severe consequences."

Magyar praised the former prime minister's offer regarding his severance pay, saying it would be accepted, but, as with the former ministers, he called on Orban to specify the bank account number so the money could be transferred centrally.

He also asked Orban to speak with Bertalan Havasi, his former press chief and deputy state secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, who does not want to waive his severance pay and is even prepared to take legal action.

The prime minister said they are ready to face legal proceedings but asked the "retiring chief accountant team captain" to "influence his team members" not to sue the state.


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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