Hungary's government outlines budget reforms as former official denies ventilator fund misuse

Prime Minister Magyar Péter held a two‑hour Reddit AMA, announcing that the government has begun returning funds to the state budget and is planning a personal income‑tax cut, a reduction in VAT on medicines, fruits and vegetables, and a possible cut to the VAT on feminine hygiene products. He also mentioned increases for minimum pension and disability benefits, a review of the gasoline tax exemption, and new housing and energy‑efficiency programmes funded by EU resources.

Former health state secretary Takácn Péter responded to online criticism over an alleged 8 billion‑forint transfer related to a Chinese ventilator procurement during the COVID‑19 pandemic. He denied any personal possession of the money and clarified that the funds were moved from Fourcardinal Consulting Ltd. to the SRF Silk Road Fund Holding Ltd. as part of the business arrangement, after which the company was dissolved.