The interview related to developments to be implemented in Szekszárd as part of the Modern Cities programme, and to the emigration of young Hungarians. The Prime Minister said that “we have to create an environment which young people would enjoy or, even if they do go abroad, which would encourage them to think of their homeland as a country which not only awaits their return, but does so as an outstandingly exciting, interesting and civilised part of the world, with a high quality of life.”
Mr. Orbán went on to say that political leaders have a responsibility to establish a country in which there are no migrants, and where there is public security instead of terrorism; this, he added, should be a country which develops and which showcases its cultural values and natural beauties.
“I have certain ideas on how to turn Hungary into a country with an outstanding quality of life within Europe, and we are not as far from this goal as some might believe”, he explained.
Concerning the suggestion that a certain number of migrants could ease the labour shortage in Hungary, the Prime Minister said that here the logical step seems to be to have more children in Hungary. “A nation which pins its hopes for biological survival on an influx of people from outside will not survive. On the one hand it will not appreciate the weighty responsibility it has to sustain itself, and on the other hand those arriving here will make the country their own”, he explained.
Mr. Orbán also pointed out that in Hungary the birth rate is lower than the mortality rate, but “every year we take a step forward”: in 2015, for example, the number of children born increased by 0.2% compared to 2014. Research shows that many young couples would be willing to have one more child, but they cite the quality of life and a lack of job opportunities and suitable accommodation as obstacles, he said. “I am trying to remove these obstacles through the decisions made by the Government, and gradually we are turning a country of unemployed people into a country with a shortage of labour. […] With the housing programme I am trying to provide young people the opportunity to acquire homes in which they can decently raise two or three children”, he added.
Mr. Orbán also said that the Government is trying to provide young people with training which allows them to feel that they are no less skilled in their profession than their colleagues in Germany or England. “This situation is also not as far from accomplishment as some might think”, he stressed.
“In the end, politics cannot decide how many children are born, or whether the population decreases or increases. It can help, but the decision will always remain with people […] the influence of politics in this field is rather limited”, he said.
Concerning continuation of the Modern Cities programme, Mr. Orbán said that after the county administrative seats, county-level local governments will also receive the possibility of deciding on the use of development funds allocated to counties by the Government. After this it will be the turn of medium-sized cities, which “rightly expect” that development agreements are signed with them as well, the Prime Minister explained.
On Tuesday Mr. Orbán signed an agreement with Mayor of Szekszárd Rezső Ács (Fidesz-KDNP) on developments worth HUF 33 billion to be implemented in the County Seat of Tolna as part of the Modern Cities programme.