The Socialist Party supports the introduction of further austerity measures, a lawmaker of radical nationalist Jobbik told a press conference on Sunday.
Tamas Sneider argued that the ideas proposed by the Socialists were the same as the alleged conditions the International Monetary Fund has set for financial assistance to Hungary.
The Socialists urge an early agreement with the IMF because they pursue the same policy, Sneider said at his press briefing held in front of Socialist headquarters.
The radical nationalist politician suggested that the Socialists were in favour of cutting pensions and support for families, and added that the former, Socialist, government had scrapped 13th month pensions and reduced the maternity benefit to meet IMF requirements.
Sneider said that over 300,000 Hungarians received monthly pensions of 70,000 forints or less, and warned that those low incomes could not be further reduced. “Jobbik rejects IMF’s dictates,” he added.
Daily Magyar Nemzet reported on Thursday that the IMF expected Hungary to cut pension payments, raise the retirement age, reduce family benefits and hike personal income tax, among other purported demands.
Iryna Ivaschenko, the IMF representative in Hungary, confirmed to MTI that the IMF had written a detailed letter of recommendations to the Hungarian government, but said the letter’s content was published inaccurately by the Hungarian press.
