by V4 Agency
The adoption within the EU of a new rule of law proposal spearheaded by Germany would turn the EU into a Soviet Union, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told public radio in his Friday morning interview.
Regarding the defence against coronavirus epidemic, Viktor Orban said Hungary was equipped with all the necessary technical tools. However, the number of doctors and nurses is limited, which made it necessary to introduce further restrictive measures, to prevent Hungary’s healthcare system from reaching a point where it can no longer provide adequate care.
According to the Hungarian premier, the measures were introduced in good time and with sufficient accuracy, making it a 99% certainty that Hungary’s healthcare can continue funcioning.
“Every life counts” and we don’t want to give up on anyone, PM Orban said.
Regarding the vaccine, the premier said that health workers will be te first to be inoculated, as they are the ones fighting on the front lines. Mr Orban stressed that the vaccine is not a political question, which is why Hungary has decided to procure vaccines from several sources, enabling Hungarians to decide which one they trust more. He added that vaccination would not be made mandatory.
The government also introduced some economic measures to help sectors that are severely affected by the restrictions, Mr Orban said. These are transitional steps, like wage subsidies or waivers on tax contributions. As a new measure, the government will reduce VAT on restaurants’ take-away services from 27 to 5 per cent, the prime minister said. Hungary’s task force in charge of economic growth is also up and running and new tax cuts – designed to help businesses – are expected, the prime minister said.
Regarding the debate on tying the disbursements of EU funds to rule of law criteria, Viktor Orban said that he has written several letters to the European Union, stating that Hungary and Poland are ready to veto the budget if the bloc fails to give up these plans. He emphasized that Hungary’s position has consistently been transparent and firm: Hungarians’ money cannot be taken away.
Hungary’s economy must continue to function; therefore it needs investments and green programmes.
If the legislation is passed, the European Union will be turned into a Soviet Union where it was common practice to establish certain criteria, along with a committee to monitor how these criteria were being met. However, theis is now why the European Union was created.
PM Orban said he can understand why Belgium and the Netherlands fail to comprehend this, but finds it difficult to see why Germany is unable to. The European Union must implement the will of its member states. This was the EU’s original goal, to work together instead of attacking each other.
The EU should prioritise and establish the most pressing issues, PM Orban stressed towards the end of the interview. The bloc should recognise that protecting people’s lives and getting the economy back on its feet are the most important issues in every member state, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban concluded.