Hungary's Tisza Party government delays key campaign promises

Hungary's new government, formed by the Tisza Party, is facing scrutiny for failing to enact several significant campaign promises shortly after taking office. Key pledges related to social welfare and public services remain unfulfilled, raising questions about the administration's immediate priorities.

Among the unmet promises is the reduction of value-added tax (VAT) on firewood, a measure that would have provided relief to consumers. Additionally, the promised 25% salary increase for social sector workers has not materialized, despite the party's emphasis on immediate action to address low wages and labor shortages in the sector.

Another prominent unfulfilled pledge is the imposition of a moratorium on evictions. The Tisza Party had campaigned on suspending all evictions on the government's first day, a promise that has not been kept, leading to criticism from opposition parties who highlight the ongoing housing crisis.

Furthermore, the government has not immediately suspended the operations of MTVA, the state-run public media company, which the Tisza Party had labeled as a propaganda tool for the ruling Fidesz party. The party had vowed to halt its news services and establish an independent public media system modeled after the BBC. The details of a new media law, which would presumably address these changes, remain unclear.

The government's inaction on these fronts contrasts sharply with the swift measures it had promised during the election campaign, creating an expectation gap among the public and political observers.