Hungary has had a stage victory against the epidemic, but we must remain alert because the war has not been won yet, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told public radio on Friday morning. Hungary is in a good position and may even emerge well from the crisis, he said, adding that its strong position is demonstrated by the fact that Hungarians may now be able to help out the big European states.

Speaking to Hungary s public Kossuth Radio on Friday morning, Prime Minister Orban touched on the issue of the country s emergency response to the coronavirus epidemic, amongst other things. The premier warned that although the country had achieved victory during the first wave of the epidemic, it had not won the war yet: the success was only a stage victory. As a vaccine has yet to be invented, we must remain alert, because there may be a second pandemic wave.

On Thursday, Mr Orban had a meeting with the Operative Group, where a decision was made to restore the humanitarian corridor, through which transit passengers will be allowed to travel across Hungary, and to keep Hungary s borders sealed to non-EU nationals, with the exception of Serbia. The prime minister suggested that people should make smart decisions about their summer holidays, because the pandemic situation of neighbouring countries also has repercussions on Hungary. Although everyone loves the sea, perhaps it would be more advisable for Hungarians to choose Lake Balaton this year, he said.

As migration appears to be intensifying, it is important to make sure that this intensification does not pose a danger to Hungary s health situation, another aspect of migration we must take into account. Viktor Orban said the number of people smugglers and illegal border crossing attempts have also increased of late, which is why police are needed in Hungary.

Mr Orban also spoke about transit zones, an issue that has received extensive criticism from Brussels and various organisations. Although it was uncomfortable to live in such zones, it was still better than being locked up in prison, because the zones were open towards Serbia, the prime minister said. However, following Brussels decision to classify these zones as a form of detention, Hungary shut down its transit zones, so going forward, asylum applications may only be sumbitted at the embassies of neighbouring countries.

The government launched a new national consultation, which – among other things – asks people s opinion about the link between migration and pandemic this year. The government also wants to know citizens views on relaunching the economy and the state of healthcare.

Regarding the economy, Viktor Orban said he understood why it was so important and urgent for Brussels to restart it. Many large European countries are in trouble, their public debts have skyrocketed and their incomes are less than their expenditures. This is something Hungarians find hard to imagine, the prime minister said, because they believe that this could only happen in Communism.

Although Central Europeans have always looked up to the West because things are generally better there, in the current situation this no longer holds true. In the Hungarian prime minister s view, the Visegrad countries finances are currently more organised, and they also have more competitive economies. This gives them a responsibility to help countries in the south, although no one would have ever thought that these countries may one day be able to help richer states. Hungary is ready to provide help through the EU s recovery package, but Hungarians expect to receive something in return, he said.

Viktor Orban underlined that the focus during the second phase of defending against the epidemic will be on job creation. The government must create as many jobs as were lost, the premier said, touching – in this regard – on Hungary s draft 2021 budget, which parliament is set to approve on Friday. The budget will include elements that will ensure, for instance, the gradual reintroduction of the 13th month pension, raising infant care benefit to 100 per cent of the salary or wage received prior to having a baby, the prime minister said, adding that there is a strong emphasis on family policy in the budget.

According to the Hungarian prime minister s view, there is not only light at the end of the tunnel, but Hungary may emerge from the crisis even stronger. This requires border protection and epidemiological defence, and for Hungary „not to allow others to take it for a fool.” 

Viktor Orban also commented on Hungary s opposition left-wing parties, pointing out that they had rejected every government-sponsored measure during the epidemic. Not only did they fail to help, but they have also caused considerable damage by fabricating a bogus video. The actions of the left are unconceivable, the premier noted.

Although traditional left-wing parties have a set of basic principles, such as wage hikes and providing support to pensioners, it is the Fidesz-led government that is currently working on putting these principles into practice. PM Orban stressed that the Hungarian government is organised along national interests and not ideologies, adding that this could enable the left to support certain policy elements that they can accept.

Regarding the economic situation, the premier stressed that Europe should be united. Now is not the time to build an empire, it is time for smart cooperation between nation states, de added.

As to Germany s current EU presidency, Viktor Orban said he expected good cooperation, noting that there is practically only one issue over which Hungarians and Germans disagree, and that s migration. While Germany sees immigration as a solution to their demographic issues,  Hungary chooses to support families instead, to boost birth rates, he stressed.