Lázár said he had been granted a mandate by Orbán and the ruling Fidesz party to negotiate with the parties that are required to pay the tax in order to avoid an infringement procedure by the European Commission. Lázár said that the “talks are slowly winding up”.
Orbán confirmed on January 30 that the Hungarian government has been in talks with German RTL Group about lowering the advertising tax, but said nothing has been decided yet and added that he insists on a revenue of HUF 7-10 bln from the tax.
Cabinet Chief János Lázár told reporters on February 3 that he will propose a reduction to the advertising tax at the ruling Fidesz party’s upcoming fraction meeting in Mezőkövesd. According to Index.hu, the plan to change the tax came from EC pressure, and was not contingent on RTL Klub reducing its criticism of the government.
