Viktor Orbán's chief advisor reveals new details about upcoming action plan

Piroska Szalai said that since news of the programme emerged, many developments in the construction industry have been brought forward, with small real estate developers 'filling their calendars', and stated that it is not a problem that the construction industry 'will be loaded again'.

She explained that compared to previous programmes, Home Start has barriers that can curb further property price increases: there is a limit of HUF 100 million for apartments and HUF 150 million for houses, and properties cannot be purchased if their price per square metre exceeds HUF 1.5 million. She added that these amounts do not restrict housing supply, as there are many used and new properties that fall into this category.

Piroska Szalai also discussed the upcoming industry and workplace protection action plan, saying that

the government is trying to expand the Demján Sándor Programme and make it accessible to more people, while also considering a reduction in social contribution tax.

If there is to be a social contribution tax reduction, it will almost certainly need to be decided by the end of the minimum wage negotiations, she added. She reminded that the three-year wage agreement reached last year indicated that the minimum wage would increase by 13% next year, and expressed hope that this would not be modified in the current negotiations.

 Cover photo (for illustration purposes only): Getty Images