Viktor Orbán spoke about the extension of the margin freeze

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 05. 02. 11:56

A decision on extending the margin freeze to household and toiletries products may be made at next week’s government meeting, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on Kossuth Radio. The announcement was made following weaker-than-expected GDP data, which showed that Hungary’s economy is still stagnating, while the eurozone is already showing growth.

In the radio interview, Viktor Orbán acknowledged that Hungary’s economic performance is currently lagging behind expectations, but he believes this is primarily due to the general weakness of the European economy. Austria is stagnating, while Germany is “on par with us,” he said.

Another margin freeze measure on the horizon

The Prime Minister announced that the government will discuss the extension of the margin freeze to everyday products such as household cleaning products and toiletries at its next meeting. This step would represent another official intervention in the retail market, following the previous food price freeze and mandatory sales.

The goal is clear: to mitigate the inflationary effects on the purchasing power of the population, while trying to maintain the government’s objectives even in a low growth environment.

“I will not give up on any goal”

Orbán emphasized that he does not intend to change the previously announced economic goals for 2025 and 2026. As he put it: “I am interested in how we will be successful, how we will achieve the goals we set for 2025 – even if gypsy children or hammers fall from the sky.”

The prime minister highlighted that despite the difficulties, the parliament approved the personal income tax exemption for mothers, according to which mothers with at least two children will be exempt from paying personal income tax for their entire lives.