Fuel prices keep rising as Péter Magyar forgets his campaign promises

Fuel prices have started rising again, while Péter Magyar appears to have moved away from the promises he made during the campaign. In mid-July, global oil prices began climbing, and the prime minister said at a government spokesperson briefing that MOL could still keep fuel prices close to protected levels.

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If there were more significant fluctuations and the price of petrol placed a significantly greater burden on the population and businesses, István Kapitány would intervene. He would intervene sooner than when the Fidesz government allowed diesel to reach 720 forints.

Magyar had earlier said that István Kapitány would intervene if petrol prices placed a significantly greater burden on households and businesses. He added that intervention would come sooner than under the Fidesz government, which he said had allowed diesel to reach 720 forints.

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Every sensible Hungarian government must undertake that fuel prices will be lower than the average in Central European countries.

A week later, Magyar said the government could undertake what "every sensible Hungarian government must undertake": keeping fuel prices below the average level in Central European countries. He also said Hungarian people should never pay as much as, or more than, Austria or neighboring countries. If a larger gap emerged between market and protected prices, he said, the government would be ready to act for Hungarian families, farmers and businesses.

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Hungarian people should never pay as much as, or more than, Austria or some of the surrounding countries.

During the election campaign, however, Magyar repeatedly demanded immediate government action and major fuel-price reductions. In February, he called on Viktor Orbán to cut VAT or excise duties. In an open letter dated March 2, he again demanded immediate tax cuts to stop petrol prices rising further. The following day, he called on social media for "immediate tax cuts and a 480-forint petrol price cap at Hungarian filling stations." He repeated the demand at a campaign event in Eger and later said the Tisza party wanted immediate tax cuts and government intervention to prevent petrol and diesel prices from spiraling out of control.

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Enough talk and fearmongering! Immediate tax cuts and a 480-forint petrol price cap at Hungarian filling stations!