Orbán Claims Vindication After Merz Warns German Welfare State Is Unsustainable

Authored by Thomas Brooke via Remix News,

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said he felt vindicated in his economic strategy after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted in a landmark speech that Germany’s welfare state can no longer be financed at current levels.

“The German Chancellor’s speech confirms everything that we Hungarians have done in the economy over the past 15 years,” Orbán wrote in response to Merz’s address in Osnabrück on Saturday.

“The Western welfare state is bankrupt, so it was right for us to switch to a labor-based economy in 2010.”

Orbán argued that while Germany is only now waking up to the crisis, Hungary anticipated it and acted accordingly.

“It was right to stand on more legs and start the Eastern opening. It was right to embrace the most advanced Chinese technology, it was right to lead Europe in electromobility, it was right to maintain economic cooperation with Russia, it was right to stick to cheap Russian energy sources, and it was right to support Donald Trump against migration and for peace,” he said.

He contrasted Hungary’s “nation-building” approach with Germany’s belated “crisis management.”

“Our perspective is nation-building: tax revolution, own home, 10-year development plan. What a difference! We fight for the truth! We fight against lies!” Orbán declared.

In Osnabrück, Merz acknowledged the depth of Germany’s problems.

“The welfare state as we have it today is no longer financially viable with what we are achieving economically,” he said.

The warning follows growing concerns over bankruptcies, rising unemployment, and inflation risks.

Migration has become a central factor. Figures from the Federal Employment Agency last year showed that of the 4 million employable people on social benefits, more than 2.5 million have a migration background, nearly 64 percent.

Bild also reported that almost half of Germany’s €17.68 billion housing support budget for 2024 has gone to foreigners.

Yet despite the mounting strain, Remix News reported earlier this month that Germany’s Federal Employment Agency was continuing to promote the “citizen’s benefit” (Bürgergeld) welfare system to migrants.

A section of its website, written in English for “people from abroad,” featured smiling models — including a woman in a hijab — and promised financial support for migrants unable to cover living expenses.

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