Prime minister Viktor Orban has promised in a letter to Hungary’s pensioners that fees for gas, electricity, district heating, water and sewage will not rise to a greater degree than the amount of their pensions in 2012, Prime Ministerial Spokesman Peter Szijjarto said on Tuesday.

Mr Szijjarto said that the prime minister promised during a Tuesday-morning meeting with Pensioners’ Affairs Council President Laszlo Ivan that governing party Fidesz would honor its 2009 pledge not to place increasing burdens upon pensioners in the course of any crisis management.