STORY: Hungarian PM outlines measures to bolster economy, political landscape in 2025
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 24, 2025
DATELINE: Feb. 25, 2025
LENGTH: 0:01:48
LOCATION: Budapest
CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Hungarian parliament
2. various of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaking

STORYLINE:

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban outlined a series of measures designed to strengthen the nation's economic and political landscape in 2025.
   
Speaking at the Hungarian parliament on Monday, Orban announced what he described as "Europe's largest tax cut program," which includes full personal income tax exemptions for mothers with three children beginning in October 2025. Mothers of two will receive phased exemptions starting in January 2026, with the benefits gradually extending to older age groups through 2029.
   
In his address, Orban also responded to concerns about rising prices amid increases in the cost of essential goods such as flour, milk, eggs, and vegetable oil. He instructed the minister of national economy to negotiate with commercial chains to address inflation. Should talks fail, state-controlled pricing measures would be introduced, he said.
   
Additionally, a portion of the value-added tax on fruits, vegetables, and dairy products will be refunded to pensioners, a move intended to alleviate living costs.
   
Orban also called on MPs to enact laws safeguarding Hungary's sovereignty, noting that the U.S. government had bought influence abroad with billions of dollars - including in Hungary, where millions of forints had funded migration, gender policies, anti-family forces, and groups undermining national sovereignty.
   
Describing the financing as "unacceptable, intolerable, and even disgraceful," Orban said his government would shut off the financial pipelines of the Soros network and end the era of "rolling dollars." The government is ready to go all the way, and beyond, he added.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Budapest.
(XHTV)