Viktor Orbán Announces Mihály Varga as the National Bank’s New President

In his recent interview on Kossuth Radio, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán touched on several key topics, including the Romanian parliamentary elections, Hungary’s economic growth, the National Bank’s new President’s nomination, and the role of technology in modern elections, reports Index.

Romanian Elections and Support for Hunor Kelemen
The Prime Minister discussed the importance of the upcoming Romanian parliamentary elections, urging Hungarian voters in Transylvania to participate. He praised Hunor Kelemen for his presidential campaign, noting,

he put up a fantastic fight… this is the kind of candidate we Hungarians can be proud of,” even though Kelemen faces slim chances of winning.

Mr. Orbán emphasized the crucial need for Hungarian representation in Romania’s parliament.

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Wage Increases and Economic Growth
Viktor Orbán also addressed Hungary’s economic growth and the government’s efforts to increase wages. He highlighted the ongoing wage increase program, noting that Hungary is striving for an average wage of HUF 1M (EUR 2,426).

We are fighting for the average wage of one million,” he said, emphasizing the 40% wage increase over the past three years.

The Prime Minister credited this progress to government tax relief and efficiency measures.

Central Bank Governor Nomination
As György Matolcsy’s term as President of the Hungarian National Bank approaches its end in March 2025, The Prime Minister revealed his nomination of now Finance Minister Mihály Varga to succeed him. Viktor Orbán praised Minister Varga’s experience, calling him

Hungary’s most experienced economic politician,”

and underscored the importance of a calm and predictable figure for the role of central bank governor.

Impact of Technology on Elections
Mr. Orbán also commented on the increasing role of technology in elections, particularly in Romania, where tools like TikTok were used to engage voters.

We are grateful to the Romanians for testing this for us… we can learn from this in Hungary,”

he remarked, acknowledging the potential for technological advancements to influence voter behavior.

The Prime Minister’s interview highlighted Hungary’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its economy, maintain strong representation in Romania, and adapt to technological advancements in electoral processes.

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