“Hungary’s economic growth is now the second highest in the European Union ,” Orbán said. “Thanks to a work-based economic policy, one million more Hungarians are employed today than in 2010.”

He said the minimum wage had risen more than fourfold since 2010, while average salaries had also increased significantly.

Orbán also pointed to the repurchase of key assets, including the airport and energy companies, as well as an increase in Hungary’s gold reserves from three tonnes to more than 100 tonnes.

“This is the point from which the liberal government begins,” he said. “Let’s hope they do not ruin it.”

Orbán also defended his government’s energy policy, saying reduced utility prices and energy security were among its major achievements.

His remarks came days after Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s new prime minister, ending Orbán’s 16-year rule. Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party won a landslide victory in April, securing a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

In his inauguration speech, Magyar accused the former ruling elite of leaving Hungary politically and economically weakened, and pledged democratic and institutional reforms.

Hegedus later danced on the grand staircase of the parliament building, repeating moves that previously gained attention during a rally at Batthyany Square on April 12. The performance earned him the nickname “Dancing Politician.”

Several senior figures linked to Magyar’s incoming administration and potential cabinet members also joined the celebrations, interacting with supporters and sharing the stage.

Earlier in the day, Magyar was officially sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister, ending 16 years of rule under Viktor Orban after the opposition secured a landslide election victory in April.

According to reports, Magyar used his first speech as prime minister to call for the resignation of President Tamas Sulyok and other senior officials by May 31.

Orban and several senior members of his Fidesz party did not attend the inaugural parliamentary session and are reportedly not taking up seats in the new legislature.

In the April election, Magyar and his Tisza Party won a parliamentary majority with more than 53 percent of the vote, while the Fidesz–KDNP alliance received just over 38 percent.

The election campaign was marked by allegations of foreign interference. Orban’s government accused the European Union and Ukraine of attempting to influence the outcome, claims denied by both Kiev and opposition figures.

“In the coming weeks we will reorganise ourselves, visit every constituency, and convene our volunteers, activists, representatives, and candidates,” Orbán said. “On April 28, we will hold a national assembly meeting. Today, the work has begun.”

Orbán noted that more than 2.25 million voters had backed the ruling alliance of Fidesz and KDNP in the vote.

A summary of the average monthly pensions across Europe highlights just how wide that gap has become. At the top sits Iceland, where retirees receive more than €3,100 ($3,645) a month on average. At the lower end of the high-income bracket, countries like Ireland and Belgium hover just above €2,000 ($2,351).

According to OECD and Eurostat data, Northern and Western European countries consistently rank highest in pension payouts.

Iceland leads with roughly €3,169 per month per beneficiary, followed by Luxembourg (€2,868) and Denmark (€2,545). Norway and Switzerland also sit comfortably above €2,300.

These countries share a common model, and that is a strong public pension system combined with occupational and private schemes. OECD analysis shows that multi-pillar pension systems, where state support is supplemented by employer-backed and private savings, tend to deliver higher retirement incomes.

There is also a broader economic context where higher wages during working life translate into larger contributions and, ultimately, higher pensions.

Countries such as Austria (€2,156), the Netherlands (€2,118) and Belgium (€2,021) fall slightly behind the Nordic leaders but remain above the €2,000 mark.

Eurostat data indicate that these countries benefit from mature social security systems with wide coverage, though replacement rates, the share of income maintained after retirement, vary depending on career length and contribution history.

Ireland, at around €2,005, rounds out the group. While its public pension is relatively modest, it is often supplemented by private retirement savings, which OECD reports say are increasingly important across Europe.

Why the gap exists

The variation in pension levels comes down to a few key factors:

Eurostat has repeatedly warned that Europe’s ageing population will intensify these pressures in the coming decades, with the ratio of working-age people to retirees continuing to shrink.

However, Higher pensions do not automatically mean better living standards.

Countries like Switzerland and Norway, while offering higher monthly payouts, also have significantly higher costs of living. OECD comparisons show that purchasing power can vary widely, meaning €2,000 in one country may stretch further than €3,000 in another.

Poland is expected to allocate around 4.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defence in 2025, the highest share among NATO allies, according to recent estimates compiled by defence analysts and data platforms, including Atlas Institute and reported by Euronews.

The surge reflects a broader shift across the alliance, where governments are under growing pressure to meet or exceed NATO’s benchmark of spending at least 2% of GDP on defence.

Countries on NATO’s eastern flank, closest to Russia , dominate the top of the spending rankings. Lithuania (4.0%), Latvia (3.7%) and Estonia (3.4%) are all projected to significantly exceed the alliance’s 2% target.

What this signals is a strategic recalibration. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, frontline states have moved rapidly to strengthen military readiness, expand troop numbers and modernise equipment.

Euronews reports that defence budgets across Europe have seen sustained increases, with many governments committing to multi-year spending plans focused on air defence systems, artillery and ammunition stockpiles.

The United States , NATO’s largest military power, is expected to spend about 3.2% of GDP on defence in 2025—lower than several Eastern European allies in proportional terms but still far higher in absolute spending.

Northern European countries are also stepping up. Norway (3.3%) and Denmark (3.2%) are among the top contributors, reflecting growing concerns over Arctic security and regional stability.

Meanwhile, major Western European economies such as the United Kingdom and Germany are projected to spend around 2.4% of GDP, signalling progress after years of criticism for underinvestment.

Germany, in particular, has pledged a long-term shift in defence policy following its €100 billion special fund announced after the Ukraine invasion, a move widely covered by Euronews as a turning point in European security policy.

A notable development is that nearly all NATO members reached the 2% GDP benchmark in 2025. Countries including France, Italy, Canada and Spain hit that threshold, marking a significant change from just a few years ago when many allies fell short.