Free public transport may come in Hungary even for foreigners and tourists

János Lázár, Hungary’s Minister of Construction and Development, shares gobsmacking plans one after another. Recently, he discussed the prospect of sending home all foreign companies involved in the construction and building materials sector. Just yesterday, he announced a proposal for free public transport for children under 14. While he didn’t delve into many details, the initiative appears to exclude foreigners.

János Lázár, Hungary’s Minister of Construction and Development, faces a challenging situation. Once a prominent figure in the third Orbán government (2014-2018), was widely considered a potential future prime minister of Hungary. However, in 2018, Orbán did not include him in his cabinet, and he served as a regular MP in Hódmezővásárhely. This move favoured Orbán’s opponent, Péter Márki-Zay, the PM candidate of the joint opposition in 2022.

In 2022, Lázár could make a comeback to the government, facing a different scenario than in 2018 when he was compelled to leave. Fidesz secured its fourth consecutive landslide victory in 2022, but the country faced worrisome challenges. The treasury was depleted due to pre-election money transfers, soaring inflation eroded savings and salaries and vital investments and development projects stalled due to frozen EU RRF and development funds over rule of law concerns. Consequently, Lázár’s portfolio became one of the least popular, marked by the discontinuation of various development projects. Additionally, the Hungarian State Railways, under his purview, experienced regular and significant delays, prompting public outcry.