Gulyás: the fireworks were the last straw – an unexpected government briefing

The invitation to the government briefing, which started at 1 pm, arrived somewhat unexpectedly on Tuesday morning, with a one-and-a-half-hour registration deadline. Apart from the short deadline, the event was also unusual because government meetings – which Gergely Gulyás, Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, usually informs about at the government briefing – are not usually held on Tuesdays.

Here are the main points that were discussed before the representatives of the press corps.

On the dismissal of the heads of the National Meteorological Service (OMSZ)

Gulyás said that there have been various shortcomings in the competence of the OMSZ leaders which had already been visible in the past. He added that the accuracy of previous forecasts also "left something to be desired", but could not mention specific cases.

He said that the dismissal of the heads of the National Meteorological Service would have taken place even without the wrong forecast about the fireworks, because there were other problems with their leadership. "It was not the last straw, but the last straw after the last straw."

The Minister added that the government agrees that the possibility of error is inherent in the work of science.

While the department heads of OMSZ issued a statement claiming that they were under political pressure, Gulyás said this was not the case, as no one in the government wants to be a scientist.

About the letter to the European Commission

According to Gulyás, they sent a reply to the Commission in which they came to an agreement with the Commission on all points, and he added: "we are creating a more rigorous and transparent system than ever before for the use and spending of EU funds".

In response to a question from ATV television channel, Gulyás spoke further about the letter sent to the European Commission, saying that

"regardless of whether the European Commission's assessment of the situation inspired by their political fears and the Hungarian government's assessment of the situation coincide, we are determined to create a system in which EU funds are spent properly".

"There is no tightening that is painful for us", he continued, adding that although there is no justification for the Commission's strictness towards Hungary, the government is ready to build extra safeguards into the system. But he did not give any specifics, saying that the letter was addressed to the European Commission and that the content was their business for the time being.

Gulyás did not want to specify which laws will be amended to please the European Commission but said that this was the way it had been agreed on with the Commission. All he said was that the number of laws to be amended would be over 10.

According to Gulyás, the Commission had not requested that Hungary join the European Public Prosecutor's Office.

The Commission now has 30 days to reply to the Hungarian government's letter, Gulyás said, adding that the government is optimistic because all the Commission's proposals have either been accepted or a compromise has been reached in the course of negotiations.

On the acquisition of Vodafone

Regarding the acquisition of Vodafone, Gulyás said that the government's stated objective since as early as 2010 has been to ensure that at least half of the telecommunications sector in the country would be Hungarian-owned.

According to Gulyás, the state is a minority buyer here anyway, with a 49 percent stake, and in such procedures, there is a long evaluation process, so there are several months of procedure to come. During this period, the financing will have to be raised, he said, adding that Vodafone Hungary will cost 715 billion.

This opportunity would not have been there in a year or a year and a half, or there is very little chance that it would have been there," Gulyás said, explaining why Vodafone had to be bought now, while other investments are being stopped. When asked why teachers' salaries are not being increased instead of purchasing Vodafone Hungary, the Minister said that this investment will bring profit, and using this profit, teachers' salaries can be increased. He also added that the question is demagogical.

On the teacher shortage

According to the Teachers' Union, at least 15,000 teachers are missing from the education system.

Gulyás said that the government had introduced a measure to allow retiring teachers to continue teaching while receiving their pensions. The minister said there had been a shortage of teachers in some subjects before, but there is no reason why the continuity of teaching should be jeopardised.