Orbán said Hungary's regulated system of retail energy prices had shielded Hungarian households from the kind of energy price increases driving up inflation in the rest of Europe, but added that "the prices of other important products are rising meanwhile".

"Today we decided to intervene in the price changes of six products: granulated sugar, flour, sunflower seed oil, pork leg, chicken breast, and cow's milk with a fat content of 2.8%," he said.

"That means that the prices for these six products must be rolled back to levels on October 15 of last year...From February 1, they may be purchased at these prices," he added.

Inflation rose above 7% in November

Inflation in Hungary spiked at 7.4% in November.

The latest monthly data from the Central Statistics Office (KSH) show the average price of sugar rose to HUF 267 per kilogram in November from HUF 261 in October. The average price of flour climbed to HUF 218 from HUF 203 per kilogram, the price of sunflower seed oil increased to HUF 720 from 713 and the price of pork leg was unchanged at HUF 1,420 per kilogram. The price of chicken breast fell to HUF 1,570 from HUF 1,600 per kilogram during the period, while the price of 2.8% fat ESL milk rose to HUF 277 from HUF 273 per liter.

KSH will release December inflation data on Friday.

The National Bank of Hungary (MNB) said in its latest quarterly Inflation Report, released in December, that CPI peaked in November and is expected to "fall gradually" from December, as short-term developments in inflation are determined by the fading impact of base and tax effects, a cap on vehicle fuel prices and the extent of repricing at the beginning of the year.

Opposition leader criticizes fixed prices

Péter Márki-Zay, leader of the opposition's joint list and Orbán's main challenger in this year's general election, criticized the government's decision in a Facebook post yesterday, saying "Viktor Orbán's announcement is an admission that the Hungarian economy is in a tragic state...Instead of a responsible economic policy, they are setting official prices to deal with the galloping price rises, which is tantamount to an admission."