The Prime Minister reiterated at a press briefing following an EU summit of heads of state and heads of government in Brussels that the Hungarian Government has no disputes whatsoever with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, nor does the governing Fidesz party with Germany's ruling CDU party.

He said it was an unavoidable fact that Germany will hold elections in the autumn and Hungary does not wish to interfere in German domestic politics or “become a subject of the campaign”.

The Prime Minister added that the Hungarian Government will continue to reduce utility prices both for households and enterprises, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced. The Government will employ the instruments of the state to reduce the price of energy used by enterprises, he said. He added that Hungary has a vested interest in seeing a unified from of energy market, but it is more likely that this would happen only in the medium-term.

He also noted that after a long and painful process, Hungary should be able to exit the excessive deficit procedure, adding that there is a debate even within the government as to whether all of the measures announced two weeks ago are necessary.

If needed, he would support raising the financial transaction levy, the bank tax and the “energy tax”, and possibly introducing a new tax on advertising. However, he stressed that no decisions have been made as yet.

(Prime Minister's Office)