EPP Group Bureau Meeting, 4-5 March 2010 Budapest

Hungary's future government will have to reveal the real state of the economy to the public after the upcoming elections, said Fidesz chairman and EPP vice-chairman Viktor Orbán addressing a meeting of the European People's Party parliamentary group leaders in Budapest.

Created: 6th March, 2010 17:56	print	send

Orbán said that Hungarians have a mission in the European Union to be in the forefront of change. Fidesz is ready to restore Hungary's respect and prestige abroad, which has been lost in recent years. A month or two after the elections the truth will have to be told about the real state of the economy, he said.

‘We will have to do this in Greece's shadow, but in a way to save what little is left of our reputation,' Orbán said. Fidesz is aware of the "delicate dilemma" at hand, but recovering Hungary's reputation must not be based on lies, he added. Orbán said Europe has no other choice but to overcome the crisis of capitalism, which requires supporting work and fighting speculation. Priority must be given to "productive capitalism" as against "financial capitalism", which should be strictly regulated.

Orbán called for a social-market economy, which gives preference to labour and production.
Stronger emphasis must be placed on promoting small and medium-sized enterprises and family businesses. Banks must be forced throughout Europe to finance production instead of speculation, he added.

(www.fidesz.hu)