PM Orbán to turn from strength to attentiveness

Evaluating the past five years of his governing Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at a conference in Budapest this Friday that over the past five years the keyword for governance has been “strength”, but from now on it will be “attentiveness”.

Addressing a conference held in the atrium of the Budapest History Museum in Budapest on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the formation of his government in 2010, PM Orbán was of the view that despite differences of opinion, the country must remain a member of the European Union and NATO.

He also also promised a less confrontational style of government. He said that although strong leadership must not now be weakened, strength is no longer the most important quality: from now on the key to governance is attentiveness, "listening to people, and to everyday life" – though this task may be even more difficult.

Despite the promises of less confrontation, many representatives of the media not close to the government were denied entry to the PM's speech.