Hungary in turmoil: Minister's war plans spark outcry
The Hungarian defence minister, Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, in a disclosed recording, suggests that the country is preparing for war. The opposition accuses the government of hypocrisy and misleading the citizens.
Main Information
- The Hungarian defence minister, Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, discusses war preparations in the recording.
- Orban's government is accused by the opposition of hypocrisy and misleading the citizens.
- The recording released by opposition leader Peter Magyar has caused a political storm.
The Hungarian defence minister, Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, in a recording disclosed by opposition leader Peter Magyar, stated that Hungary is breaking away from the "mentality of peace" and is preparing for war. This recording, dating from April 2023, has sparked a wave of criticism from the opposition.
"The fifth Orban government has decided to create a truly effective, combat-ready Hungarian army. This means we are breaking away from our previous peace efforts – we are aware of this – but most importantly, we are breaking away from the peaceful mentality," declared the minister.
Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition party TISZA, claims that the recording is proof of Orban’s government hypocrisy. According to him, the government is misleading the citizens by talking about peace, while in reality, it is preparing the country for war. Magyar emphasizes that this is not just a political mistake but a crime.
"They lied to the Hungarians about peace – it has turned out they will drag our wonderful country into war. In this recording, Viktor Orban's defence minister admits, and even proudly announces, that what they have been saying for years is simply a blatant lie," the oppositionist wrote on social media.
Reactions to the disclosed recording
The recording has caused a storm in Hungarian politics. Magyar admitted that he himself does not know how the recording reached him. "It blew in through the window, brought by the wind a day or two ago," said the Hungarian oppositionist.
Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, despite lacking military experience, has served as defence minister since 2022. Previously, he was an entrepreneur and diplomat. His connections with the Czech company Aero Vodochody and Russian ties are controversial.
