The government will not change interest subsidies for loans and will not raise the windfall tax on banks, Kocsis said in response to a question by MTI. He added that this was the group’s position and all statements that differ from it should be regarded as personal opinions. Lending needs to be increased in 2024 and this requires subsidised loans and banks, he added.
In a speech the prime minister told the groups on Wednesday that the budget deficit will be kept on the path of decline and agreements with the chamber of trade and industry, as well as with the banking association, will be respected.
Kocsis said inflation was on a decreasing path and credit rating agencies recognised that the Hungarian economy stands on stable and strong foundations, while lending must be accelerated. Tax increase would go against this, so it would not be realistic, he added. Commenting on central bank governor György Matolcsy’s remarks on the government’s economic policy, he said there was a debate between the government and the central bank governor in certain economic policy issues.
Hungary’s parliament will table a new draft law on the protection of children in the autumn session and simultaneously, a legislation package will be submitted, designed to protect the country’s sovereignty. The proposal aims to “make the job of those selling out the country abroad more difficult”, Kocsis said. The proposed legislation package will contain an amendment enshrining the protection of sovereignty in the Fundamental Law, and regulations obliging all organisations running in elections to submit to the laws on party financing, he said. The Penal Code will also be amended, to make sure that “whoever sells out their own country abroad has to answer for their deeds before court at home,” he said. He added that this was the case “in all serious European countries”, citing the example of France. Fidesz lawmakers re-elected Kocsis as leader of their parliamentary group for another three years.