In the light of the package of proposals presented by the European Commission for reforming the asylum system, János Lázár, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office described the referendum initiated with respect to the mandatory settlement quotas as a decisive vote at the 45th Governmentinfo press conference which he held jointly with Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács.
The Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office commented as follows on the European Commission’s package of proposals: the Brussels body has disclosed to the public its latest idea related to the mandatory quotas. The Commission “wants to dictate”, and wants to decide for us who may live here.
In the light of this package of proposals, the quota referendum is a decisive vote, and without knowledge of the opinion of the Hungarian electorate, the Government is unable to take further measures and to make further decisions on this issue, he said. In his view, there has been no referendum on any issue of such import in Hungary since 1990.
The Government will discuss the Brussels proposals “riddled with contradictions” on Monday, he said, stressing: the right of the Hungarian people to decide who may enter the country cannot be renounced.
Regarding the counter-terrorism action plan, the Minister confirmed that the purpose of the proposal is to reinforce the police. The terrorist attacks which took place in Belgium, too, lead to the conclusion that we need an effective, well-prepared, proactive and competent police force, he added.
Hungary has regained its financial sovereignty
Mr Lázár responded to the repayment of the IMF-EU loan by saying: Hungary has regained its financial sovereignty.
Upon covering other economic topics, the Minister further reported that the Government will review the principal figures of the draft budget for 2017 compiled by the Ministry of National Economy next Monday. He pointed out that there is no scope for allowing for any deficit on the operating side, in the case of payments to personnel and material expenditures; any deficit is only permitted for developments.
In answer to a question, Mr Lázár further confirmed that the 2016 budget may be subject to changes. The reason being that there are more revenues than planned, which means that the economy is doing better.
He also told the press that there appears to be a consensus unfolding among the parliamentary groups with respect to the issue of the postal legislation. He indicated that in small localities, where maximum five letters are posted daily, post offices may move onto the premises of financial institutions and savings cooperatives, but services will not be terminated in a single locality. The company’s losses have been eliminated, and while the number of those paying for bills in the conventional manner or those posting letters is declining, there may be progress in this sector in two areas, Mr Lázár said, mentioning parcel delivery services as one of these, and the sale of government bonds as the other.
The Minister also indicated that he understands the protests of dairy producers, and the Ministry of Agriculture is working on ways to provide aid. A decision has already been adopted on a large allocation, and the situation of the entire sector is being considered, he said, pointing out: the Government has initiated consultations with the chamber of agriculture, supermarket chains and the food industry in order to increase the percentage of Hungarian goods on the shelves.
Mr Lázár was further queried about the banks purchased by the State, and in answer to this question, he remarked: there is a large foreign commercial bank, in the case of which there are ongoing negotiations as to whether the Hungarian State should acquire a stake.
Unified corps of civil servants to come into being
Mr Lázár said at his Thursday press conference that in the first round the district offices will form part of the corps, the government offices will join as of next January, while ministries, too, will join their ranks as of January 2018. Career models will be launched in the segments where the required realignments and simplifications have taken place.
Mr Lázár confirmed that the duties, responsibilities and salaries of the 20 thousand staff members working in district offices will change as of 1 July: their pay will increase by 30 to 50 per cent, primarily in the case of those who are in direct contact with customers.
The Minister also announced that he will table proposals for the amendment of 85 laws with a view to further simplifying administration.
Mr Lázár told the press that he will initiate five-party consultations both with respect to the corps of civil servants and EU calls for proposals.
He further reported that the consultations related to state support institutions and centrally financed agencies have been closed, and the Prime Minister requested a few subsequent rounds of consultations in the water sector. The goal, the reduction of bureaucracy will be achieved, he said in evaluation, adding: this measure will present an opportunity for staff cuts, but no state responsibilities will be left unfulfilled at the same time.
In answer to a question relating to exit money, he said that no decision has been taken yet; each minister is free to determine their staff numbers within their own competence. He referred to support institutions as the children of the ministries who “have grown into robust adults, some of them aged between 30 and 40”, and “the whole system has become thoroughly overweight” by now.
Mr Lázár in favour of day of rest
The Minister also expressed his view on the Sunday day of rest: he is in favour of Sunday being a day of rest. They accept the Curia’s decision which opens the way for the socialists to start collecting signatures, and respect the referendum. “Best of luck, MSZP, get on with it”, he commented, remarking: the left is campaigning for tens of thousands of people having to work on Sunday which is not typical left-wing behaviour.
He further pointed out that a debate on this issue has yet to be conducted within Fidesz, but personally he is among those who are opposed to the idea of people having to work on Sunday. It is good if society discusses this issue, he added.
In answer to a question, Mr Lázár also said: they do not have the slightest intention of changing the legislation concerning the day of rest before the referendum proves to be valid and successful.
He also pointed out that, parallel with the closure of shops on Sunday, retail sales have increased by 3 to 4 per cent, and the percentage of those working in the sector is on the rise as well.
Mr Lázár said in the context of the contemplated teachers’ strike: they respect the decision of the interest representations to go on strike. The Government merely asks them to do so in a legal manner. He further reiterated that everyone is welcome to join the talks of the public education round table on issues related to education.
The Minister was also queried about the comment made by László L. Simon, State Secretary for cultural heritage and priority cultural projects. In his view, it would be a good idea to move the Holy Crown together with the coronation regalia from the Parliament Building to the Buda Castle. Mr Lázár said: the Government has not concerned itself with this issue. This option should be considered; however, at this point in time he is more curious about the refurbishment stages of the Hauszmann Plan.
In answer to another question, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office told the press: the Government is making efforts to ensure that the next instalment of the Seuso treasures, too, should be repatriated to Hungary.
Several members of the press asked the Minister about whether the Government will withdraw the state decoration of swimming coach László Kiss, who was imprisoned in the 1960s for gang rape. In his answer, Mr Lázár cited the law on state decorations, based on which, he said, they proceeded in full conformity with the law in connection with Mr Kiss’s decoration. The swimming coach is not in featured in the criminal records, which means that he has been exempted from the legal consequences of the crime he committed. He noted that the law also has a provision to the effect that if someone had previously committed a crime, it can be disregarded on an exceptional basis due to circumstances deserving special consideration.
“Ten Olympic medals are quite special”, the Minister said, summing up by pointing out: Mr Kiss completed his sentence, and has since been instrumental in the winning of ten Hungarian Olympic gold medals. The Minister stressed several times that he does not wish to take a moral stance on the issue.
The uncut version of the video recordings made at the event can be downloaded in the Press Room.