Cross-border tension is escalating in the latest chapter of Hungarian–Austrian relations, as Hungary’s Secretary of State for Health, Péter Takács, draws ire by claiming that the Hungarian ambulance fleet is more modern than its Austrian counterpart, and that Austrian vehicles should therefore be upgraded with EU funds.
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The remarks have caused a stir, with Hans Peter Doskozil, Governor of Burgenland, branding Takács’s statements as lies. But what exactly did Takács say?
The Secretary of State appeared on a programme called Harcosok órája (Hour of Warriors), where he enthusiastically praised the Hungarian healthcare system. He mentioned having visited Burgenland recently to sign a cooperation agreement aimed at harmonising the region’s emergency services with Hungary’s.
Takács recounted that when an Austrian paramedic steps into a Hungarian ambulance, they are left speechless because, to them, a Hungarian ambulance looks like:
- a mobile intensive care unit,
- equipped with GPS, unlike its Austrian counterpart,
- operated via an online system, whereas Austria still uses magnetic boards to track ambulance locations.
According to Takács, Burgenland’s ambulance services will require EU funding to be brought up to Hungary’s level.
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This is what triggered Hans Peter Doskozil’s reaction. He accused Takács of making false statements about Burgenland’s emergency services, calling the remarks humiliating. Doskozil wrote an open letter to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán demanding a public correction and urging the Hungarian government to avoid similar remarks in the future. “Cooperation between our two countries must be based on mutual respect, not false claims,” he added.
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Diplomatic tensions with Doskozil are nothing new
This is not the first time Hungary’s government and Burgenland’s Social Democratic leadership have clashed. Tensions also flared in January ahead of regional elections. A missing 10-kilometre stretch of motorway between Hungary’s M85 and Austria’s A3 near Eisenstadt was at the centre of the dispute.
Gergely Gulyás, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that Hungary had extended the M85 to the border, but Austria stopped short in Eisenstadt and, citing “environmental reasons,” the local leadership reversed its earlier promise to complete the Austrian section.
“It is an absurd situation that two motorways fail to connect due to a 10-kilometre gap,” Gulyás remarked, adding that the delay was not financial. He recalled that earlier efforts to collaborate with Hans Peter Doskozil had shown promise, but the pledged completion of the missing section never materialised.
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He added that Burgenland has been under predominantly left-wing leadership since the 1960s, but regardless of election outcomes, Hungary is ready to work with anyone on this issue, which he stressed is of crucial importance.
Hungary’s political ally, the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), ultimately secured just under 10% of the vote, winning four seats in the 36-member regional assembly (Landtag).
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Hungarian Medical Chamber also outraged by Takács
Earlier, the Hungarian Medical Chamber (MOK) also protested against Takács following another appearance on Harcosok órája. On that occasion, he questioned the Chamber’s legitimacy and even suggested it was part of a foreign network.
MOK responded by highlighting its democratically elected leadership and urged Prime Minister Orbán to prevent further government attacks on the medical community—something the organisation said has not occurred since the socialist regime.
The Chamber argued that Takács, through his comments and actions, is eroding public trust in both doctors and medicine—when, as a physician and representative of the health ministry, he should be working to strengthen it.
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John Woods
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