“Viktor Orbán’s announcement is an admission that the Hungarian economy is in a tragic state,” said almost all members of the opposition alliance “Hungary belongs to everyone” in an article published on their social media pages. They believe that instead of a responsible economic policy, “the galloping rise in prices is fought with official prices, which amounts to an admission”. At the same time, they promised a 5% VAT on basic food products. Prime Minister Orbán announced late Wednesday afternoon that the government would cap the price of six food items.

This article originally appeared on our sister site, Ungarn Heute. Translated by Julia Tar.

Barely three months before the legislative elections, the Prime Minister announced a price cap on six food products.

We have decided to intervene on the prices of six products: granulated sugar, wheat flour, sunflower oil, pork thighs, chicken breast and milk.

Orbán said Wednesday in a video posted to his Facebook page.

All the opposition parties reacted quickly and very critically to the proposed measure. Members of the alliance, which is made up of seven parties, almost all posted the same message on their social media pages:

Viktor Orbán’s announcement is an admission that the Hungarian economy is in a dire state. The government must go – they are only beginning to tackle food prices in the last 12 weeks of their 12-year two-thirds majority rule. Instead of a responsible economic policy, the galloping rise in prices is fought with official prices, which amounts to an admission. After the change of government, we will limit VAT on basic foodstuffs to 5%.

Featured Image via Zoltán Balogh / MTI