It’s a war situation
There is a new situation with NATO preparing to play an active role in the war. This fills the government with concern, because it can be seen in the individual member states where this is leading. They are openly talking about the need to send troops to the territory of Ukraine as well. This is the worst case scenario, it could lead to world war. They are in constant consultation with the NATO headquarters in Brussels. Hungary still wants to stay out of the war, and will definitely stay out of the NATO mission, and will not supply weapons. After the American congressional decision, it seems that the American policy will not change until the November election, said Gergely Gulyás.
Fuel price
We pay the price of wars in the price of gasoline and diesel. The price will only decrease when the war is over, but until then you can’t profit from the price of gasoline, said Gergely Gulyás. The government calls on the fuel dealers to bring the price down to the regional average, if they don’t do this, the government will be forced to enforce it.
Amendment to the Basic Law
The amendment to the Basic Law initiated by the Prime Minister will exclude the possibility of a pardon for a person who committed a sexual crime against a minor, or provided assistance in doing so. Countersignature of the decision of the President of the Republic by the Minister of Justice, the minister announced. The faction suggested that the punishments against pedophiles should be tougher, that the crime should not be statute-barred, that the perpetrators should not be granted parole, and the government supports this as well. The basic law also includes the fact that Hungary can participate in the EU credit union only if it is supported by two-thirds of all representatives in the parliament. In addition, the basic law is also being amended due to the rules on the mobilization of national defense units.
Visit of Chinese President
Xi Jinping will arrive in Budapest between May 8 and 10, the Chinese head of state will visit Hungary after twenty years. Its preparation is now underway, and Péter Szijjártó is currently negotiating the case in China.
Questions
Answers by Gergely Gulyás
What do they say about the EU investigation of the motorway concession?
The commission applies a double standard because there are similar solutions in other EU member states.
How can fuel price regulation be changed?
The government will use the appropriate means to enforce regional prices if traders do not voluntarily reduce the price of gasoline and diesel.
What do you think about the Chain Bridge scandal?
The investigation in the case is justified, if it reveals shortcomings, then those involved must bear the responsibility. The threads lead to the town hall. An explanation should be given as to how this could have happened.
How long can you stay out of the NATO role?
To the end, that’s why you have to fight. NATO is a defense alliance, and it is strange for an operation to take place in a non-NATO member state.
Why is there no countersignature required in pardon cases?
We adapt the regulation to the real situation. Since 1990, it has happened once that the Minister of Justice did not object to the decision of the head of state. This right belongs to the President of the Republic.
Why are gas stations at fault?
If prices are set above the regional average, it is unacceptable, the traders are at fault. It would be best if we could agree with them, if not, then we need alternative means. In terms of the tax content of fuels, Hungary is the fifth lowest, so tax reduction would not be a solution.
What did Gergely Gulyás’ recent statement about Péter Magyar mean?
It is worth waiting a few weeks, maybe two years, and everyone will see that this is a left-wing problem, it does not affect us.
Will the Tisza Party launch a list affect the chances in the capital?
The election is less than seven weeks away, so we’ll see. I don’t see any problems on the government’s side, but great chaos on the opposition’s side. Everyone should vote for the government parties in Budapest as well. The election system is free, anyone who has at least three district mayor candidates can submit a list.
Will the Prime Minister welcome the new mayor?
This is not absolutely necessary, but it is necessary for the capital to see the government as a partner.
Will the government turn to the European Court of Justice because of the migration pact?
We are investigating the possibility of this, but there is no decision yet.
Are they expecting a new breach of duty procedure due to the new child protection rules?
For this reason, a new procedure should be initiated, but the government insists that this is a national competence.
What will happen in the Erasmus case?
An agreement will be the solution, there is a chance for that. The action of the union is unacceptable. A lawsuit can also be a solution, but the EU court is clearly biased on the side of the union, despite this, Hungarian universities are not without a chance, but it would take longer, which is why a solution is needed.
What action will they take against Spar?
The government will initiate legal proceedings, presumably due to damage to reputation.
Is the impact of the migration pact felt at the border?
Before last year, 250,000 people tried to cross the Hungarian border, and last year almost 200,000 people tried to cross the Hungarian border, and the situation will not improve until the EU realizes that the procedures must be conducted outside its territory. The host western member states are also full.
What effect will American aid have on the war?
Extends it.
What is the government’s position regarding the mandatory chamber contribution?
We introduced it, I suggest you look at who the minister was then. Our position has not changed.
The MNB has called for maintaining the deficit target, what instruments should be used?
It is not objectionable if the central bank expresses an opinion on fiscal policy. We will reduce the deficit to 4.5 percent this year, if we remove the interest burden, it will practically break even.
What are the new conditions for drawing EU funds?
We agreed on the milestones, we fulfilled them, but the committee again came up with false terms. The question is when there is political will for the payment, this is no longer a legal issue. In Poland, a Brussels government came to power and the funds were released without fulfilling the legal conditions.
What is the government doing about the new Slovak sovereignty bill, which would name the organizations of the Hungarian minority as foreign-supported organizations?
Let’s wait and see what will happen in the adopted law.
Why are the Prime Minister’s campaign events not open to the public?
Some of them are, some of them are not, so far he has not hidden his participation in rural locations.
Is there a scenario where Alexandra Szentkirályi steps down in favor of Dávid Vitézy?
We trust that Alexandra Szentkirályi will win the mayoral election.
What do you say about the Óbuda bribery case?
Where there is a left-wing city government, suspicions of similar corruption cases arise more and more often. The people involved should respond accordingly.
If regional gasoline prices continue to rise, will the intervention still be linked to this?
I can’t say an amount limit where intervention is definitely necessary. Now it can be expected that the regional average will also be considered a guideline by Hungarian fuel dealers.
Why is the State Treasury’s investigation in the capital necessary?
Let’s wait for the end of the investigation, clarity is needed. So far, it seems that the capital can fulfill most of its payment obligations.
How is the purchase of Budapest Airport?
An agreement has already been reached orally, but it is a complicated contract, which is why more time is needed.
Does the government have a reason to fear Péter Magyar?
No, this shows freedom, that you can form a party and run for election. The rest is the left’s problem.
Should OLAF have a say in the bridging finance case?
Only if EU money was also used.
What are the consequences of the Hungarian position in NATO?
NATO is preparing for a mission that goes beyond its original purpose. Since unanimous decision-making is required, an agreement must be found so that Hungary can somehow stay out of it. We see more willingness to do this in NATO than in the EU.
Does Hungary support the sanctioning of Russian LNG?
I would like to accept the new sanctions package in mid-June. Until now, we have vetoed if the sanction directly harmed Hungarian interests, this does not harm it.
How much is allocated for the development of the airport?
The expressway and the high-speed railway are also absolutely necessary, it costs hundreds of billions of dollars, it can also be implemented from private sources, negotiations are ongoing.
What will be the purpose of the Chinese president’s visit?
It will primarily be about economic cooperation, the focus will be on strengthening Chinese-Hungarian economic relations, and there will also be an agreement on specific projects.
As the successive president of the union, does Hungary take a more active role in the peace process?
Due to the size of the country, it cannot even assume a fundamental role as EU president, the support of the United States and China is necessary to create peace. With our position, we are in a tiny minority in Europe, we must be aware of our scope.
Why doesn’t child protection get more money and powers?
An aptitude test will also be included in the system, and the additional costs of this have been discussed by the government. This costs money, but it strengthens public trust.
Why did you recommend a left-wing person as a Fidesz member?
Péter Magyar describes big turns, he was a SZDSZ sympathizer, then he became a Fidesz member, then a leftist. In addition, he did not pay a membership fee…
Do you support Zoltán Balog staying as bishop?
This is the matter of the Reformed Church. I support Zoltán Balog in everything.
Will child protection be a campaign topic?
The family is at the center of Fidesz’s politics, so it is still an important part of the campaign.
How much reinforcement is needed for the EP election?
The two sovereignist party alliances should be strengthened, it is unlikely that they will be able to achieve a majority, but together with the People’s Party this could even be possible, but it is feared that the People’s Party would prefer to cooperate with the left. With the strengthening of the sovereignists, the Brussels swamp could be drained.
How many EP mandates would they be satisfied with?
We want to win the election, the more seats we have, the happier we are.
Do government agencies take over powers from disaster management?
There is such an idea, but there is no decision on the matter yet.
Is the right of referral also removed from the Ministry of Justice in pardon cases?
The law is still being debated, but I think that the pardon preparation should also be transferred to the office of the head of state.
Did the prosecution listen to you in the Schadl-Völner case?
Yes, the prosecution heard me as a witness last week, I said roughly what I also explained in the previous Government Information.
