Election 2018 – Socialist-Párbeszéd PM candidate Karácsony unveils ‘100-day’ programme

Gergely Karácsony, PM candidate of the Socialist-Párbeszéd parties, presented priorities of his party alliance’s “100-day programme” at a press conference on Saturday.

Karácsony said the planned measures would “redirect Hungary to Europe and help build a fairer, more democratic and liveable new republic in which all citizens are equal”.

Among the planned moves, Karacsony mentioned restoring the institutions of social dialogue. He argued that successful government required discussion with affected parties before making decisions in any area. He also pledged starting talks with forex debtors and with all those who were “made losers” during the past two government cycles.

The Socialist-Párbeszéd alliance, if elected into power, would launch a child protection programme and increase family subsidies, Karácsony said. The alliance’s government would join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, set up the office’s national counterpart, and ensure full transparency of public data, he added.

The alliance would immediately terminate the Hungary-Russia agreement concerning the Paks nuclear upgrade project and launch a social dialogue concerning Hungary’s energy policy, Karácsony said.

Concerning health, Karácsony said that “instant” steps were needed, adding that his government would “revive” emergency care, reduce waiting lists, and ensure a 50 percent wage hike to nurses.

As for education, he said that a Socialist-Párbeszéd government would “reintroduce the freedom of curriculum” under which “each teacher would be allowed to use the textbook he finds best”. He added that places in free higher education would be increased as of September this year and student loan debts would be forgiven.

Among further measures, Karácsony said that minimum wages would be made exempt to tax, minimum pensions would be doubled and 13th month pensions reintroduced.

If the Socialists and Párbeszéd win the election, they will immediately suspend payment of EU funds to bidders because “the incumbent government has not channelled those funds to the right destinations,” Karácsony said the system would be reviewed and his government would put out new tenders “to get the funds as close to the people as possible”.

featured image: MTI

Source: MTI