Hungarian FM’s possible replacement may trigger Orbán’s pro-Washington&EU turn?
It seems the Hungarian government will be modified soon. Foreign minister Szijjártó will be replaced with a more West-friendly top diplomat. Szijjártó may retain foreign trade, but PM Orbán’s political director, Balázs Orbán (they are not relatives) will emerge as the top diplomat of the country. Furthermore, Intelligence Online wrote that the powerful Hungarian interior minister, Sándor Pintér, would retire. Did they write the truth, or is this just some fake news?
The government’s press office reacted with a short sentence on Intelligence Online’s information. They said it was fake news. However, such a move is imaginable considering the following facts. Furthermore, Intelligence Online is specialised on information gained by intelligence services, so their article probably has some basis.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Hungary occupied a “third way” stance. PM Orbán and his cabinet condemned President Putin’s attack but did not join the Washington-led (Biden administration-led) pro-Ukraine coalition. Hungary provided help for the refugees. We delivered non-lethal equipment for Ukraine but never agreed to do so in the case of lethal ones. However, that is the least important problem.
The most problematic is the Hungarian government’s communication. They continuously say that Ukraine should start peace negotiations. But it is hard to explain why Kyiv should accept a peace, meaning they lose the territories Russia occupied. And that is what even FM Szijjártó finds hard to explain. He suggests that at the negotiation table, territorial changes can be made. But nobody believes that.
Orbán preparing on a pro-USA, pro-EU turn?
Washington, Brussels and other Western NATO allies want a firm anti-Russia and pro-Ukraine stance from Hungary, and Szijjártó has become a symbol of the cabinet’s pro-Russia policies. That is why Orbán tried to make President Katalin Novák “a second foreign minister” regularly travelling to the West and trying to reestablish relationships. However, it seems more drastic measures are needed. For example, Washington unilaterally terminated a crucial treaty with Hungary in March.
Intelligence Online, a media outlet specialising in intelligence issues, says Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be parted. Balázs Orbán, PM Orbán’s political director, will be in charge of foreign affairs, while Péter Szijjártó will retain foreign trade. That means the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade, responsible for helping the prime minister’s decision-making in foreign affairs, will be under Mr Orbán. That would not be the first time Szijjártó lost an area. After forming the 5th Orbán cabinet, he lost the Hungarian civilian intelligence agency responsible for foreign intelligence.
Intelligence Online added that Sándor Pintér would retire, reaching 75. He has been the interior minister under every Orbán cabinet (1998-2022 and 2010-). That might trigger an expansion of Antal Rogán’s power, Telex said. Intelligence Online believes that Mr Rogán and Balázs Orbán will become key players in the fifth Orbán cabinet. The prime minister expects their rivalisation will maintain power balance in his inner circle.
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