The United Opposition Announces Election Program

Only upwards! - The program of Rising Hungary. This is the title of the election program presented this Wednesday evening by the opposition coalition 'United for Hungary'.

On April 3, there is a chance for Hungary to find its way back to civilization and Europe, and it is in the country's interest to have peace, security and prosperity, the prime ministerial candidate of the opposition parties Péter Márki-Zay said at the presentation of the election program, the state news agency MTI reports.

Speaking at the event, which was broadcast online, Péter Márki-Zay said stressed peace in Europe and peace within the country's borders; security and predictability, the security of Hungary and the daily livelihood of the Hungarian people; the opportunity for civil upliftment for all Hungarians, regardless of their color, origin, political views or sexual orientation.

He added that for Hungary to rise up, it must break with Putin's methods, and abolish the policies that betrayed the country's allies, that deliberately destroyed the unity of the EU and that "supported the war criminal Vladimir Putin's ambitions for world power."

The physical security of Hungary can be ensured by the reinforced protection of the Hungarian border, the EU and NATO, he said, indicating that his government would maintain the border fence and set up an independent border guard.

Péter Márki-Zay also said that the emigration of police officers would be stopped with a decisive pay rise.

He argued for a new, value-based foreign policy based on a return to the West. He said that international treaties that were contrary to Hungarian interests would be reviewed, and that ‘Fidesz migrants’ [i.e. people allowed into the country by the current governing party] would be put under international arrest and expelled.

The candidate promised that family allowances would be maintained, wages and pensions would rise and the common European currency, the euro would be introduced in five years.

We must break with the mistaken and unfair policies that have impoverished the Hungarian people on the back of a weak forint, he said.

He said that the minimum wage would be exempted from tax within four years, leaving the highest personal income tax rate unchanged. Childcare allowance, family allowance and home care allowance will be doubled in four years.

He promised to maintain the 13th month pension and to restore the mixed indexation pension increase. He added that not only women but also men would be able to retire after 40 years of service; police officers and members of the armed forces would be able to apply for retirement after 30 years of service.

Péter Márki-Zay said that "after 32 years, there will finally be accountability, we should not be a country without consequences". He called the elimination of corruption a real reduction of the overheads.

He said that the only way to ensure a rapid recovery from Hungary's almost hopeless economic situation – record deficits, record debt, record inflation – was to receive EU funds now withheld due to the corruption of the Orbán government. The new Hungary will use Hungarian and EU taxpayers' money wisely and fairly, he stressed.

He also said that they would introduce sustainable cuts in energy prices, that security of supply would be the priority in their energy policy, that they would reduce the country's exposure to Putin's Russia and that they would renegotiate the Paks II [nuclear power station extension] contract.

He proposed substantial pay rises for health and social workers and teachers.

He said that "universities stolen into Fidesz foundations will be taken back for the nation," Hungarian higher education will be strengthened instead of the establishment of a Chinese communist university [with Hungarian taxpayers’ money] and the Student City will be built instead. The illegally acquired lands will be taken back and put up for tender again, he listed their proposals.

They will free up sport, culture and the press, he said, restore the rule of law and stand up for minorities.

Representing the Momentum party ta the program presentation, independent MEP Ákos Hadházy said they would set up an anti-corruption prosecutor's office and join the European Public Prosecutor's Office. They would also set up an anti-corruption agency to help bring corrupt leaders to justice.

Imre Komjáthi, deputy chairman of the Socialist Party (MSZP), promised to restore workers' livelihood security, launch a special public sector pay rise program, strengthen trade unions and abolish the ‘slave law’. He added that the duration of the job-seeker's allowance will be increased from the current three to nine months.

Tímea Szabó, co-chair and leader of the parliamentary group of the Dialogue Party, summed up the opposition's health program by saying no to theft, no to the destruction of the health system, no to [building] stadiums and yes to people's recovery. She promised that the sector would be given an independent ministry and that HUF 1,200 billion would be invested in healthcare.

Speaking about the education program, Democratic Coalition MP Gergely Arató said that they would give education back to Hungarian citizens. They will raise the age of compulsory schooling to 18 and increase teachers' salaries, he said.

Dániel Z. Kárpát, Jobbik's vice-president and member of parliament, spoke about the rebuilding of the social safety net, which has been torn apart by the current government, to help people from childbearing to old age. He said they would also make the cuts in rationing and the family support system fairer. The family allowance will be doubled, and the minimum pension will be doubled.

Róbert Lengyel, mayor of Siófok and board member of the All Hungary Movement, promised an increase in the police salary base, the restoration of rights previously taken away, and that every village will have its own police officer again. The ‘deadwood’ in the national and county police forces will be abolished, and resources will be channeled to urban institutions.

Erzsébet Schmuck, co-chair of the environmental party LMP and member of parliament, spoke about the importance of fighting the climate crisis and Russian energy dependence, as well as the need to curb energy waste and review the Paks II project.