In Hungary the fight against the coronavirus epidemic was successful, more successful than in many states in Western Europe, Gergely Gulyás, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office said in evaluation at the press conference ‘Governmentinfo’ held on Thursday in Budapest after the state of danger came to an end after 98 days. He announced that the shopping hours reserved for the elderly would be abolished.

The special legal order was in effect for a much shorter time in Hungary than in the majority of European countries, the government managed to adopt decisions in good time and implemented important restrictive measures much earlier relative to the emergence of the epidemic in Hungary than the Italians, Belgians or Spanish did, he argued.

The special legal order made immediate and effective action possible, the Minister stated, saying thank you to members of the Operational Group, in particular to Chief Medical Officer Cecília Müller as well as to health care and social care workers, teachers, police officers, soldiers and government office workers.

Mr Gulyás stressed that the containment effort was effective because national unity was forged, and it is “a new development” that this could come about also without the opposition. The government would have liked political agreement, but was required to acknowledge that the opposition was unable to contribute to this, he said, adding that the unfair attacks levelled at those involved in the containment effort, the smear campaigns conducted against the country abroad and the making of “fake videos” were unacceptable, base acts also morally.

The head of the Prime Minister’s Office expressed hope that the coronavirus will not return; he indicated at the same time that a second wave is a realistic threat. However, should a state of danger arise again, they would like political unity as well.

He said the state of disease control preparedness in effect from today has been declared for a period of six months, and its maintenance is reviewed every three months.

Mr Gulyás announced that from now they are abolishing the shopping hours reserved for the elderly; however, the rules relating to the wearing of face masks will remain in force. He highlighted that in their view the wearing of face masks will provide sufficient protection for the elderly, this is why they took this decision.

He said the Operational Group will remain in session, and the protocol relating to the management of hospitals will also remain unchanged.

He stressed that the European Commission suggested – and this is also the government’s position – that borders between EU Member States must be opened to free travel within the shortest possible time. Hungary has adopted decisions in this spirit, he added.

While earlier migration seemed to have come to a halt, the May data gives rise to concern, but it is to be hoped that the opening of borders does not mean that borders cannot be protected, he said, adding that Hungary is able to protect its borders.

The Minister highlighted that the first phase of the fight against the virus is over, and if everyone continues to observe the relevant measures, the number of active infections will decrease. If, however, there is a change for the worse in the number of active cases, the need for restrictions may emerge again.

He took the view that if the epidemic does have a second wave, it could be sometime around September or October. As expected, the summer heat could slow down the spread of the virus, and on the whole they expect to see a fall in the number of active infections in the coming weeks, and it is also for this reason that it is necessary to observe the measures left in effect, he said.

He also mentioned that the government had managed to protect the jobs of around 1.2 million Hungarian workers with its economic measures.

He stressed that – as expected – the grinding to a halt of economic activities due to the fight against the epidemic also had a major negative impact on the labour market and the output of the economy. Projections relating to economic growth vary; the government is expecting a 3 per cent recession based on the forecast of the Ministry of Finance, he pointed out, adding that as they did not expect this at the time of the planning of the budget, this will greatly reduce the scope of the budget.

On behalf of the government, Mr Gulyás offered his condolences to the families of deceased Olympic champions György Kárpáti and Tibor Benedek; he said their departure is an extreme loss for Hungarian sports.

The Minister was asked regarding the fact that József Pálinkás, a former minister of the Orbán Government, started a collection for the refurbishment of the Chain Bridge, and wrote in a Facebook post that he is tired of all the pathetic and undignified disputes. Mr Gulyás said they themselves are tired of these pathetic and undignified disputes. He highlighted that the capital was in a positively good financial situation, former Mayor of Budapest István Tarlós had handed over Budapest’s management with reserves amounting to more than HUF 200 billion, and in government bonds alone there was more than HUF 180 billion available. Notwithstanding this, in accordance with an earlier agreement, the government continues to maintain its pledge to provide HUF 6+1 billion for the fulfilment of a metropolitan task. He fails to see the reason why the refurbishment of the Chain Bridge has not started yet, unless it is because incumbent Mayor of Budapest Gergely Karácsony prefers political disputes to action, he said.

They are seeking to maintain good cooperation on all issues that serve Budapest’s best interests, but they have the feeling that the metropolitan municipality keeps looking for fights, he observed. In response to Mr Karácsony’s comment that for Fidesz nine years were not enough to refurbish the Chain Bridge, the Minister said now is the time for the refurbishment of the bridge which the former metropolitan leadership planned in a timely manner. He added that now, however, every day of delay is making the project significantly more expensive.

Regarding the costs of the 20 August fireworks display, he said first a decision will have to be made about whether celebrations will be held at all. He indicated that they will evaluate the epidemic situation in mid-July, and if the fireworks display can be held safely, it will be held. He added that if they want to restart the economy and tourism, a formidable series of 20 August celebrations would be a positively good idea, not only in Budapest, but also in county-ranked cities, and including not only fireworks displays but also other events lasting for several days.

Gergely Gulyás, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office said in answer to a question about the reform of the tax of small businesses that he agrees that its structure and the range of eligible taxpayers should be reviewed. In the present situation, however, economic stability is the top priority, and therefore the government has decided not to change the rules for the time being.

In the context of the assistance offered to Hungarian small businesses in Transcarpathia, he drew attention to the fact that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade supports Hungarian businesses pledging to implement investments beyond the borders with an allocation of HUF 25 billion.

In answer to the question as to whether the absence of a Hungarian national airline presented a problem during the coronavirus epidemic, he said it would be better if the former Hungarian airline Malév were still operational, but a country of Hungary’s size does not necessarily have an airline fleet of its own. Should a market opportunity arise, it would be well worth considering it, but at this time they see no such opportunity, he said.

Regarding the construction of the Ferihegy Airport express railway service, he said it can also be implemented from EU funds. As for the date of the project, he said the sooner the better. They will have information about the allocations available in the next seven-year EU budget within a few months, he indicated. He described the winding up of Malév Ground Handling as a business decision.

Concerning the funding of the waste collection company, he said the state is required to contribute minimum HUF 50 to 60 billion to preserving the results of the reduction of household utility bills annually. He added that perhaps other governments would do so, but the government in office at present will not increase household utility bills.

Speaking about the graffitiing of a Churchill statue and the Black Lives Matter movement, he pointed out that the vandalising of the statue is wrong and unacceptable; on this he agrees with Mr Karácsony. What happened evidently and directly follows from the goals and activities of the movement starting in the United States which is now also taking roots in Western Europe, he underlined.

In the context of the bill serving to prevent further cases similar to the Gyöngyöspata segregation business, he pointed out that there was nothing to be done about the final and absolute judgment awarding damages, it had to be fulfilled. Should similar cases emerge in the future – should a school or the operator of a school commit an infringement of personality rights – damages will have to be awarded in the form of education. This story has no winners, only losers even if seemingly the victors of the lawsuit are on the other side, he said.

In answer to a question about the company Szeviép, he said it is commendable that a comprehensive investigation has been ordered within the judicial organisation in the case. He added that the findings of this investigation and the prosecution’s opinion will decide whether a crime has been committed.

Commenting on concerns about the autonomy of the University of Theatre and Film Arts, the Minister pointed out that the bill currently lying before Parliament will, in actual fact, put an end to the possibility of any intervention or say on the part of the Hungarian State as in the future a board of trustees will make decisions about its operation. In answer to the suggestion that representatives of the government could also be included on the board, Mr Gulyás said he can hardly imagine such a scenario as in the government there are lawyers, but no actors. Though they could come in handy, he observed.

Regarding DK’s Klára Dobrev’s statements criticising the government in connection with Imre Nagy’s reburial, he said Ms. Dobrev wants to compete with her husband in the discipline of insolence. “We were the ones who, after 1989, fostered Imre Nagy’s memory in  a comprehensive and fair manner; the incumbent prime minister’s first momentous appearance on the stage of politics happened to be at the reburial of Imre Nagy and fellow martyrs. Compared with this, no doubt, Klára Dobrev herself has something to do with this anniversary because if her grandfather hadn’t had Imre Nagy executed, we wouldn’t have this today,” he said.

He added he does not believe that anyone should be held accountable for their grandfather’s deeds. At the same time, he continued, if someone – without any prior comment, without saying anything about how they feel about their grandfather’s deeds or at times even trying to find excuses for them – wants to protect Imre Nagy’s memory from us, “it reflects a degree of insolence where Mrs Gyurcsány is definitely on a par with Mr Gyurcsány”.

In the context of the decision about the transit zones, he said they have implemented a decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union which is contrary to a previous decision adopted by the European Court of Human Rights. They were required to close down the transit zones, even if – in his view – there is no better and more humane solution which also protects European interests. From now on, applications for asylum can be submitted at Hungarian embassies in the capitals of neighbouring non-EU countries, he confirmed.

He also said during the upcoming German presidency, another debate will start about the distribution of migrants. The position of the Visegrád countries is clear: they will not take part in any distribution scheme, he laid down. He took the view that the majority of statements appear to respect this and expect flexible solidarity. He mentioned as a possibility the establishment of hotspots, centres opened on migration routes outside the territory of the European Union for the assessment of asylum applications. He indicated that regulations beyond the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and humanitarian rules cannot be forced on Hungary.

He highlighted that there are some 800 refugees in the territory of the country; these persons have been awarded refugee status. In answer to another question, he said Hungary is able to protect its external borders; however, as Hungary is also protecting Europe’s borders, a contribution from the EU would be justified.

Regarding the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union about the Hungarian NGO legislation released on Thursday morning, Mr Gulyás said Hungary has always honoured the judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union. At the same time, he indicated that the judgment will have to be thoroughly studied, and so he promised a detailed legal answer for the next ‘Governmentinfo’ press conference. He observed that on important matters the earlier opinion of the advocate general ruled in favour of the Hungarian State, and only found unlawful the means resorted to.

In answer to questions about health care, Gergely Gulyás, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office said they asked the Ministry of Human Capacities to assess the hospital funding needs that will emerge in connection with the operations and other interventions postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic. He stressed that the government was ready to provide the financial resources for the postponed interventions. He also indicated that there was no need for special permission for the employment of physicians aged over 65, they were allowed to take part in hospital work.

He stressed in answer to a question about the reform of health care that the government does not approach this issue from the angle of bed capacity. He added that it is not that there are too many beds; there is a problem with the allocation of active and rehabilitation beds, and so these may be regrouped. One solution is that active beds converted to rehabilitation beds should be readily reconvertible to active beds during times of epidemics.

Regarding criticisms levelled at the Operational Group and Chief Medical Officer Cecília Müller, he condemned these attacks which sought to involve the Chief Medical Officer in politics. He stressed that Ms. Müller had done an excellent job professionally, and for this she deserved respect and appreciation. In answer to another question, the Minister added that, in his opinion, Ms. Müller should be given a state award.

In answer to a question about the incidents that recently occurred at the Pesti út elderly care home, Mr Gulyás confirmed that the investigations conducted so far had found the operator responsible. However, the operator metropolitan municipality appealed against this finding, and so it is now up to the Hungarian courts to decide.

He further highlighted that during the epidemic digital education passed the test with flying colours, and while it is to be hoped that during a possible second wave of the epidemic there will be no need for school closures, it is for the best to prepare the educational system for changing over to digital education should the need arise.

In connection with the temporary service cuts of the Hungarian railway company MÁV, Mr Gulyás said recently there have been services which have travelled without passengers; hence the need for a new railway timetable. At the same time, MÁV is continuously looking into service needs, and if necessary adjustments can be made.

In answer to a question about regulations relating to air-conditioning equipment, he said the authorities will conduct frequent inspections as the safe operation of air-conditioning equipment is key in prevention.

(Prime Minister’s Office/MTI)