According to the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office, the purpose of the transformation of the structure of the government is to reinforce the cabinet’s decision-making and strategic management capability, and to help the Prime Minister prepare for the next general election. János Lázár spoke about this in an interview he gave the weekly Figyelő.

He said that by virtue of the structural transformation, a forum will come into being between the various ministries and the government where disputes can be settled. The two new cabinets will not only prepare decisions, but will also be empowered to adopt decisions, thereby reinforcing the government’s decision-making and strategic management capability. The economic cabinet will scrutinise the impact of decisions on the budget, while the strategic cabinet will verify whether the given proposal is in harmony with the government’s fundamental objectives. Additionally, the cabinets will assist the Prime Minister so that he has time for preparing for the next general election as well as for concerning himself with affairs which affect the people’s lives in the long run, Mr Lázár added.

In response to the suggestion that he would lead the strategic cabinet, he said „it would be in bad taste” if he were to announce a decision of such importance. He added that the Prime Minister had already disclosed his decision at the government meeting. The Minister said that if he were nominated to head the new cabinet, he would work towards ensuring that „the government’s performance should not pose a risk, but should emerge as an advantage at the election”, and he would also like to support the goal which seeks to eliminate harmful ties between politics and business.

He told the weekly that in the areas for which he is or will be responsible, he will „try to eradicate” those who abuse the trust vested in them because there is no need for people who ”are not willing to take responsibility of any kind, and only leave behind embarrassing affairs, thereby harming their country and community”.

In answer to the remark that he took a sceptical stance on the European Union, he said that he stated his personal opinion. Mr Lázár added: in his experience, the Prime Minister supports the stating of his personal views on certain issues, such as the death penalty, the Sunday opening of shops or the question of the EU. The Minister said: he is proud that in Fidesz „differing views are not crushed, but instead decisions are adopted as a result of intelligent debates”.

Regarding the next general election, he stressed: operating stability and the people’s satisfaction are key to victory. In this effort, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will play the leading role, without him Fidesz cannot win in 2018, he highlighted.

Mr Lázár further pointed out that, in the wake of Brexit, „there is a new situation” in Brussels. Central-Europe may play a different role, and the Visegrád Four are working on the internal reform of the EU and the preservation of national sovereignty. Our chances are good because what Mr Orbán has to say „carries weight in Brussels”, he said.

(MTI)