PM Orbán: ‘We are building strong countryside’

“We are building a strong countryside because without that there would be no strong Hungary,” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at the inauguration of a section of Route 53 bypassing Soltvadkert, in southern Hungary, on Monday.

Hungary’s government had decided as far back as 2010 that it would put an end to the internal migration seen in rural Hungary, and had set out to ensure that certain parts of the country do not have to prosper at the expense of others. “We set out to make the Hungarian countryside an attractive place where it is worth living because there are jobs and high quality services and everything is accessible within a reasonable time frame,” the prime minister said. “It isn’t right that Budapest’s level of development is at 158 percent of the European Union average, while all other regions are below the average.”

Route 53 bypassing Soltvadkert, in southern Hungary. Photo: MTI

read also: Happiness statistics: Hungary ranks among the least happy nations – Here’s why!

Orbán said the town of Soltvadkert and Bács-Kiskun County were “winners of the government’s measures”. He said the employment rate in the county has risen to 74 percent from 56 percent since 2010 while the unemployment rate has fallen to 4 percent from 10 percent. Meanwhile, the average wage has risen to 490,000 forints from 160,000, he added. He said the region would play an even more important role in the future, noting the government’s plan to set up a new economic zone in the country’s southern regions. The government has earmarked 330 billion forints (EUR 806.5m) in next year’s budget for making the southern Hungarian countryside stronger, resilient and independent, Orbán said. He noted ongoing investment projects in Kecskemet, adding that bypasses are also being built next to Szeged and Baja, with another one planned for Pécs.

Orbán said that when he last visited Soltvadkert during the European Parliament election campaign in the spring, “there appeared to be no chance for peace” in neighbouring Ukraine. Hungary, he said, had been under “tremendous pressure” from the United States for its pro-peace position, “and the pro-war Brussels bureaucrats were also giving us a thrashing”. But over the past six months, the “pro-war, anti-migration and pro-family forces” have gained a majority in the Western world, he said. Hungary’s ruling parties secured a resounding victory in the EP elections, established the Patriots of Europe party, becoming essential players in the legislative body, and in the United States “our brother-in-arms” Donald Trump was elected president, Orbán said. He said the Hungarian economy was set for a “fantastic year” in 2025, saying Hungary would emerge stronger “from the shadow of the war that has been going on for three years now”.

read also: Tax benefits change, 3rd-country guest workers will earn less in 2025 in Hungary!