Fidesz official: Compensation for ‘left-wing cities’ higher than for pro-government ones

Karoly Szita, the Fidesz mayor of Kaposvar who also heads the Association of Cities with County Rights (MJVSZ), said central measures such as reducing the tax rate that businesses pay locally had dented local council revenues but 150 billion forints (EUR 418m) had remained with these firms, helping job-retention.

He said the government had committed to negotiating with each municipality individually during the preparations of the 2021 budget, and help would be directed to localities where “belts were especially tight”.

Localities with fewer than 25,000 inhabitants, he added, had been compensated 100 percent for any lost revenues, while larger towns and cities were dealt with on a needs basis.

Szita insisted that after decisions were taken on professional basis, “left-wing cities” had ended up with more money than “pro-government ones”.

He said objections raised by opposition-run councils had no merit.

Budapest, he added, had not received any compensation because, as the wealthiest council with 120 billion forints in reserves, it had no operational problems.