Orbán: A dwarf imposes a sanction on a giant – UPDATE
Hungary’s government will be the first to ask the people about sanctions imposed on Russia in response to the war in Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at the opening of parliament’s autumn session on Monday.
European countries are now paying a “sanctions surcharge” on oil, natural gas and electricity well above US electricity and gas prices, Orbán said.
“The EU often accuses Hungary of running afoul of European values, but the highest European value is democracy,” he said. The sanctions were decided by “bureaucrats in Brussels and the European elite” rather than adopted in a democratic process, he said, adding that European citizens were not asked for their input, even though they are the ones paying the price of the sanctions.
Hungary’s government is launching a “National Consultation” public survey to gauge people’s opinion of the sanctions and to see whether they would support new ones, he said.
“If it all goes on like this, Europe will succumb to the worst,” Orbán said. “Europeans have become poorer and sanctions have failed to bring Russia to its knees, yet an end to the war is not in sight,” he said.
The war, expected to be protracted, would be a “local conflict” between Russia and Ukraine were it not for western sanctions, which have turned it into a “global economic war”. While the US the EU are supplying Ukraine with weapons and money, Russia’s reserves of material and men are endless, Orbán said.
The prime minister said it was expected that the war in Hungary’s neighborhood would continue this year and next, adding that it threatened a European and global economic collapse.
Orbán accused the West of being pro-war while Hungary stood on the side of peace.
“We demand an immediate ceasefire and peace talks rather than prolonging and deepening the war,” he said. Hungary’s priorities are “preserving its security and its economic and national sovereignty,” he added.
The government, he noted, has established a defence fund to be spent separately from the central budget funds on army development, border protection and strengthening the national security services.
Orbán said the economic consequences of the war affected families the most. “Inflation unseen in 40 years is sweeping across developed countries, with the highest rate seen in central Europe.” Drastic energy price hikes are owing to “political decisions in Brussels” rather than economic developments, he said.
The prime minister said it may make sense to impose sanctions on economic sectors in which “we are stronger than the country subjected to those sanctions”. But “we are dwarfs and Russia is the giant” when it comes to the energy sector, he added.
If sanctions were lifted, inflation would drop by half, he said, adding that without sanctions the European economy would revive and a recession could be avoided.
He said sanctions were causing enormous damage to Europe, while Russia had generated a 158 billion euros in revenue thanks to energy exports since the outbreak of the war.
“If it all goes on like this, Europe will succumb to the worst,” Orbán said.
More people in Europe are getting angrier, Orbán said, “and the bureaucrats in Brussels must understand that it is irresponsible to gamble the fate of entire national economies and millions of people.”
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The government can guarantee Hungary’s energy supply
The government can guarantee Hungary’s energy supply, Orbán said. Hungary has sufficient supplies of natural gas, electricity and oil, he said, adding that the country’s gas reserves cover 41 percent of annual consumption, and the government has agreed with Russia on further deliveries.
As Hungary covers 85 percent of its gas consumption from imports, and the government is not in a position to influence prices, consumption must be reduced, the prime minister, calling on government agencies, state-owned companies, institutions, families and businesses to use less natural gas
Natural gas makes up 35 percent in Hungary’s energy consumption, and this will be reduced to 31 percent by late 2023 and to below 30 percent by 2025, Orbán said. He noted that the government had taken measures to boost domestic gas extraction, restart the lignite-based Matrai power plant, extend the lifespan of the Paks nuclear power plant and start the construction of a further two blocks there.
Hungary’s household energy subsidies are the most generous in Europe, the prime minister said.
The government has capped household energy bills and firewood and lignite prices, as well as basic food prices, he said. The cap on household energy bills up to average consumption saves the average family 181,000 forints (EUR 445) each month, he said.
Energy subsidies in Hungary will come to 30 percent of a household’s average monthly income, as against 20 percent in Germany and 6 percent in Austria, the prime minister said.
Hungarian economy
Hungary’s government has also launched a 200 billion forint programme to support small and medium-sized businesses with high energy needs, and it is drafting a “factory-saving” scheme and a new action plan to prevent job losses, he said.
Ongoing investments in Hungary are worth 9,400 billion forints, he said. While these will be concluded, the government will not launch further investments because there is no guarantee they would be completed, Orbán said.
Hungary is stronger today than at any time since the collapse of the communist regime, Orbán said. While sanctions have damaged the country, the government may succeed in ensuring that Hungary emerges from the crisis even stronger, he added.
The government will “set a quick pace” in the months to come, the prime minister said.
Not even in the forthcoming two-year period of crisis management will the government relinquish its national strategy objectives, Orbán said. It will continue to develop the transport network, maintain family support schemes, establish an innovation-based economy, develop universities, upgrade the armed forces and carry out its programme of national unification, he added.
Orbán also pledged to further develop the family support system, adding that 2023 state budget to be finalised by early December would contain the relevant measures.
Orbán emphasised that despite ongoing disputes with Brussels, Hungary still saw its future in the European Union.
Read alsoA picture of Orbán with a Hitler moustache and swastika in the Estonian capital
Source: MTI
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7 Comments
No European Union Funding ?
Victor Orban – the Fidesz Government of Hungary – continual to BLAME – the Russian War “staged” on the Ukraine, for the MASSIVE cataclysmic MESS – that is FACTUALLY the state of the Hungarian Economic & Financial landscape.
European Union Funding – Hungary’s LIFE line – eradicated, ceased – dried up – by the continual aggravations objections abuse, misuse – of this present Victor Orban led Government of Hungary.
European Union words – that Hungary – is No Longer a DEMOCRACY.
Democracy – the CORE of being a Member of the Family of Country’s – that make up the European Union is – they MUST be DEMOCRATIC run and ruled/governed.
Hungary – no Freedom of Press – Runs and Controls the Judiciary and commenced – Ruling by Decree.
Stop veiling FACT – using PROPAGANGA – Prime Minister – Victor Orban.
YOU and YOUR Party & Government, the deepening NADIR “blackened” hole we are rapidly descending into – is the FAULT totally of you and your Government – not the Russian War on the Ukraine.
Who is GOING to FUND Hungary ?
Who are the Friends of Hungary – Russia & China, that taking a look at their Economic & Financial positions – SCARY.
Switzerland is the true example how a nationwide referendum SHOULD work. Which means that voters are expected to immerse themselves in the subject matter, supplying them with sufficient (objective – as opposed to confirmation bias) information, including detail and transparency. And non-leading questions are a requirement, unless clear.
We appear to be incapable of that; our Politicians merely want to have us, the voting public, confirm their opinion. And ideally not inform the Hungarian population of what is really happening in the world around us. Hardly democracy in action (Mr. Orbán’s friends are also helping to organize referendums, at the moment – great example!)
Oh – it seems that according to Mr. Orbán, we should have just thrown the Ukrainians under the bus. We’d now have peace and a new neighbour! Opportunity missed, in our Politicians’ view (I’m sure we’d have be even nicer to NATO than we already are)
Cut out the middle man and present findings to the EU now. The government will proudly announce that 100% of Hungary want the sanctions to Russia stopped. After all, that’s how the wording of the ‘national consultation’ will be designed. To make the government look as though it’s democratic and that our opinion counts! When it couldn’t actually be further from the truth.
Siding with Russia? Seems no one is remembering 1956. The russians are doing the same to Ukraine at this moment. Learn your history, go to the Terror Museum and discover what the russians did to regular Hungarians in 1956. They are doing it now in Ukraine. Why is Orban supporting a country that did this to us? Follow the money.
There wouldn’t be a war if not for the EU and the US. The elected president was violently forced out and for what? It’s not clear any thing really changed- you had a just corrupt group backed and funded by the west. The US Vice President – now president was making millions through his son for 5 years. The US ambassador was working to impeach trump because he asked about the corruption be looked into. George Soros and His NGOs are major players and he added 18 BILLION in the last few years to prop them up. None stop media hate along EU-US governments.. Russia is not the country it was 1956 so stop treating like it is. The arrogance of the west is off the charts. 6 years and they insist Russia got trump elected and he was a Putins boy. A $100,000 in FB ads and they spied on them. This from the goverment that has 100 times the capability- remember them tapping into Angela Merkel mobile phone.
They have access to anyones electronic communication. This info is one of the biggest secrets in the goverment.
ACTION Stations Hungary.
1956 – has returned to “Haunt” us.
Don’t miss the last train out of Hungary Citizens – otherwise trains we are “loaded on” could go too far off “indifferent places.
It is 2022 not 1956 – BUT nothing is IMPOSSIBLE – in FACT easier in numbers of ways than what we experienced lived through in 1956 and from 1945-1989.
WHAT do we want for the FUTURE of Hungary ?
The POWER of PEOPLE of Solidarity – big positive – in our SALVATION.
Y IS THE EU FACING THIS EXISTENTIAL CRISIS,IN 2022 ?
NO GAS
RECESSION
RUSSIAN WAR
WINTER COMING
RISE OF RIGHT WING PARTIES,IN EU (ITALY)
FUTURE CALLS,TO BREAK THE EU
SOME YEARS AGO,A EU DELEGATION FROM THE EU PARLIAMENT,CAME TO THE LA-LA LAND OF CHAIWALA,TO SEE KASHMIR-POST 370 !
THEY WERE HAPPY WITH WHAT THEY SAW ! THEY PUT THEIR STAMP AND SEAL,ON A GENOCIDE OF MILLIONS !
IS THIS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS OF THE VALUES OF CHRISTENDOM ? WE ARE NOT TALKING OF THE DUBIOUS INDIAN CHRISTIANS LIKE THE GOAN CATHOLIC FILTH ! THIS IS WHITE EU !
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS ?
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven – LIKE THE KASHMIRIS
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven – LIKE THE KASHMIRIS
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees (THE HINDOO BRAHMIN/BANIAS), you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord (OR RAMA RAMA),’ will enter the kingdom of heaven
THE EU HAVE EVISCERATED THE SOUL OF JESUS,AND ARE NOW PAYING THE PRICE !
WHAT IS THE DNA OF THE CHAIWALA AND HIS HINDOODOM ! THEY FOLLOW A SATANIC.BARBARIC.HEATHEN RELIGION – WHICH IS A COPY OF MOLOCH,OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
THE EU HAVE KNEELED BEFORE THE CHAIWALA,LIKE SOLOMON DID, BEFORE MOLOCH
Moloch is a represented as a nude man astride an orb, holding an animal skul – JUST LIKE SHIVA ON A COW,AND KALI HOLDING SKULLS ! dindooohindoo
HISTORY IS REPEATING WITH THE EU ! WHOEVER HAS SUPPORTED THE HINDOOS IN THEIR GENOCIDE,WAS DESTROYED ! THAT IS THE TOLL OF HISTORY !