Prime Minister Viktor Orbán regards the approval of the report about the state of fundamental rights in Hungary submitted by rapporteur Rui Tavares as an operation of the European left, based partly on the idea that the Hungarian Fundamental Law is not a liberal constitution. He also noted on public Kossuth radio’s 180 minutes that the wage increase for teachers is a certainty.

According to Viktor Orbán, the European left wing cannot accept the fact that Hungarians voted against the left-wing government in 2010 with a two-thirds majority, and they want Hungary to withdraw its banking tax and stop public utility rate cuts.

The case of the Tavares report demonstrates a new trend, which is no longer about Hungary, the Prime Minister said. The question is whether an institution has the right to arbitrarily change the European basic treaty. The EP is doing something that goes beyond its authority and it wants to reproach a country that happens to be on the right path.

The Tavares report criticised the Hungarian Constitution on an ideological basis because it goes against the European trend of liberalism, the Prime Minister noted. Instead, it is based on the decision of the Hungarian people and strikes a balance between individual freedoms and the interests of the community. A Hungarian memorandum reacting to the Tavares report has been sent to all European heads of government and state, he added.

Once again, he insisted that the Government will not withdraw bank taxes and will go on reducing public utility costs.

With regard to teachers, the Prime Minister said that "children are our future" and so it is of the utmost importance that the teachers who are involved with them have a suitable level of knowledge, a suitable income and enjoy a secure background. This is why the Cabinet has decided to increase their wages and also introduce a teacher career model.

The interview also touched the law on the integration of savings cooperatives which President János Áder returned to Parliament for reconsideration. In connection with this, Viktor Orbán said the Cabinet would examine the President’s remarks and change the bill accordingly. Parliament is expected to adopt the amended proposal next Friday.

Regarding foreign exchange loans, the Prime Minister said that courts should assess whether they were „faulty products” and if so, why they became so widespread. The responsibility of the state and banks could also be examined, he said. The cabinet has tackled the problem of foreign exchange loans three times, introducing an early repayment scheme, offering mortgage holders the option to repay loans at a fixed exchange rate and by setting up an asset manager.

(Prime Minister's Office)