Orbán: Flood peak could leave Hungary Tuesday

Orbán said there was a good chance that the peak would leave the country then, instead of Thursday, as earlier expected. He added that the peak was now at Dunafoldvar, some 100km south of Budapest.

He said the third-degree flood alert level could be reduced in a number of areas from Monday, adding that heavy rain that could affect flood levels was not in the forecast.

Orbán said flood defence efforts had been successful and gave updates on settlements north of the capital.

Asked whether flood defence workers would get a pay rise, Orbán said he was in talks with the head of water management.

Addressing the possibility of closer regional flood prevention cooperation, Orbán said that was “on track while the V4 was working”. Hungary has know-how that it would gladly share, he added.

Political life will return to normal next week, Orbán said, with a conference on European competitiveness on Wednesday and an inter-governmental meeting in North Macedonia on Thursday.

Asked about a proposed debate with Peter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza party, Orbán said issues could be debated when the next election takes place.