February 19th, 2010

Socialist PM candidate offers pension bonus

Hungary’s pensioners could receive a bonus of up to their weekly pension if the current fiscal policy is carried on after the April general elections, Attila Mesterhazy, prime minister candidate of the ruling Socialist Party, said at a campaign rally in Budapest on Thursday.

Mesterhazy said the Socialist government had been right when it scrapped 13th month pensions as part of its austerity measures, but he also welcomed the introduction of pension bonuses, which would benefit the elderly in line with the performance of the national economy.

If the Socialists won the next elections, their government would be distinguished from that of main rival Fidesz by “responsibility, democracy, a respect for the laws and progress”, the candidate said.

On another subject, Mesterhazy said that his party would amend the Penal Code to ensure more serious punishment for offenders against the elderly.

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  1. Minnie the midget says:

    I nearly fell off my chair laughing. Pensioners to
    get performance related bonuses. You couldn’t make
    this up.

  2. C'est Moi says:

    Mesterhazy will blow each and every pensioner who casts a MSZP vote. Sorry but this is the most pathetic attempt at scoring votes that only a old person couldn’t see through

  3. wolfi says:

    I think that any statement from any politician in Hungary in the weeks to come will just be another try to fool the voters – even though its dreadful, it’s funny what they come up with.

    We’ll surely hear more like this: extra money, less tax, free házi pálinka, … what will be next ?

  4. Rolrox says:

    At least MSzP are promising something, even if
    it’s asinine. (At least its in line, for as the
    country continues to sink, the pensions will also
    be diminished).

    I just got thru the mailbox some Fidesz bumpf. It
    says 0 as to what they are going to do, it only
    outlines how dreadful MSzP performed in the last 7
    years.

    It’s amazing. Here’s a real chance to behave
    responsibly, maturely, and to get a mandate from
    the people to do the “dirty” deeds that need to be
    done. Instead we get drivel. Orban can only say
    “I can’t talk now until I’ve looked for the
    skeletons in the closet.” Wait a minute, his
    party is sending out missives claiming to know how
    bad things are and that they would do better…
    But wait, they also don’t know how bad things are,
    and might not have a game plan; and anyway, don’t
    want to say anything that might hurt.

    The only people talking about what the policy
    could be for the next 4 years is Bajnai (who
    disgracefully never got a mandate when he had the
    chance and has thrown himself out of the ring) and
    the less-than-likely to lead, Bokros. What is it
    with HU, that when you’re not going to win, at
    least you try to explain your policies and plans,
    and when you’re a shoe-in, you go stum? What does
    that communicate to voters, investors and
    business?