Mayor Karácsony calls next year's budget a strong step for local governments

Karácsony Gergely welcomed the budget proposal unveiled by Magyar Péter in the Országgyűlés, describing it as a very good draft. He pointed out that municipalities will receive a notable boost in normative funding, alongside extra money for health-care expansion, higher family allowances and wage increases for public-sector workers. The mayor also praised cuts to the solidarity contribution and measures to lower taxes for lower-earning citizens, as well as support for public transport.

He stressed that the budget will not resolve every local-government issue but represents a move away from policies that hinder municipal operation. Karácsony said the new fiscal framework gives Budapest the resources agreed with the government on 1 October and improves prospects for towns across the country. He concluded that the direction is now one of joint effort between the central state and local administrations.