Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán addressed the nation on public Kossuth Rádió, outlining his government’s stance on pressing economic and political matters. He defended the introduction of a price cap on retail margins, reinforced the importance of child protection policies, and explained why Hungary vetoed Ukraine’s EU membership bid.
Orbán justified the government’s decision to impose a limit on retail markups, arguing that recent price hikes were not driven by market forces but rather by corporate profit-seeking. He criticized previous Hungarian governments for failing to establish domestic retail chains, leaving the market in the hands of foreign companies more focused on profits than on Hungarian consumers.
‘To those raising prices, we had to say: enough is enough,’ Orbán stated. The new measure allows retailers to charge only a 10 per cent markup on procurement costs, which has already resulted in immediate price reductions. The government plans to monitor compliance strictly, as Orbán expects major retailers to attempt workarounds.
He also rejected the idea of reducing VAT instead, citing past experiences where tax cuts benefited businesses rather than consumers. ‘When we lowered VAT before, only a third of the reduction led to lower prices. The rest was absorbed by retailers,’ he argued, accusing left-wing politicians of siding with multinational corporations.
Orbán also addressed Hungary’s revised assembly laws, stating that while freedom of assembly and child protection should coexist, this balance is disrupted when sexual topics enter public spaces or schools. He emphasized the government’s stance against gender activism in educational institutions, arguing that ‘normal people’ are under continuous provocation by LGBTQ+ movements.
‘The right of children to be raised in a healthy environment is a fundamental right, and all other rights must respect that,’ Orbán asserted. He expressed concerns about international influence behind LGBTQ+ pride events, suggesting that Hungary has so far lacked the strength to push back against this trend. However, he claimed that political shifts in the US have given Hungary more room to maneuver, leaving only Brussels as an opponent in this matter.
‘Eventually, reality will catch up, and economic concerns will force a reassessment of Ukraine’s membership bid’
Discussing the recent EU summit, Orbán reaffirmed Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. He argued that admitting Ukraine under current conditions would lead to economic collapse, not only for Hungary but for the entire EU. ‘Eventually, reality will catch up, and economic concerns will force a reassessment of Ukraine’s membership bid,’ Orbán predicted. He pointed out that while Hungary currently stands alone in opposing Ukraine’s EU membership, similar scepticism is growing across Europe, much like with migration policies. Orbán also warned that European leaders risk being sidelined in future negotiations about Ukraine. ‘If Europe doesn’t change course and adopt its own independent strategy, decisions about Europe’s future will be made without Europe,’ he cautioned, referring to potential US-led and Russia–Ukraine peace agreements that may leave the EU out of the equation.
Orbán reiterated his government’s commitment to supporting families, highlighting tax exemptions for mothers with two children and stronger measures against drug abuse. He framed these policies as part of a broader effort to reinforce traditional family structures.
On domestic politics, he dismissed recent protests by opposition party Momentum, stating that Hungarian voters will have their say in the 2026 elections. ‘I have no doubt about what the people’s judgment will be,’ he remarked confidently.
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