Cabinet chief János Lázár speaks at yesterday’s press conference while government spokesman Zoltán Kovács listens. (Photo: MTI/Zoltán Balogh)

The Orbán government cut consumer prices on utilities for households between 2010 and 2014, in several phases – an initiative which helped with Fideszʼs reelection in 2014.

János Lázár said that the government would put forward a proposal on additional price cuts during its November 4 meeting, adding that this new proposal would provide a “good answer” for Brussels, which had launched an infringement procedure against Hungary in connection with its commitments under EU energy policy legislation.

Lázár did not reveal further details about the proposal, but did say that the key issue that needed to be addressed was energy security. To ensure energy supply, Lázár said that energy storage, distribution and service providers must be reacquired by the state. Regarding Hungary’s sole nuclear power plant Paks, Lázár stressed that it must remain under state ownership.