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Orbán’s cabinet: chiefs of staff should avoid party politics if they strengthen the opposition rather than Fidesz
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The defence minister told public radio on Tuesday that the Hungarian military’s chiefs of staff “have a corporate ethos to avoid party politics and to be loyal to the Hungarian government at all times. “
Asked about a Monday statement by former commanders and chiefs of staff, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said former army officials’ contribution to political events could divide the military, and he expressed disapproval of such activities. The minister said that a former chief of staff who entered the political arena could compromise unity within the military and “create uncertainty,” which he said was “extremely dangerous in war times.”
Szalay-Bobrovniczky noted that he had worked together with Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, a former chief of staff, who recently addressed a rally organised by the opposition Tisza Party. The minister said he had previously initiated Ruszin-Szendi’s dismissal “after a short period of co-working” because he thought the chief of staff “could not take the military to a higher level of combat capabilities as required in the interest of the Hungarian people.” The minister said Ruszin-Szendi had “chosen the wrong role” and “he keeps on talking”. He also suggested that Ruszin-Szendi, when still in office, had engaged in talks with Ukraine’s defence minister and other Ukrainian officials without appropriate authorisation.
“A high-level military leader has huge powers and … could create situations in which politicians are forced to react,” Szalay-Bobrovniczky said, adding that “anyone acting like that is obviously unfit for their position.”
Complete bunk from an Orban apparatchik. Once someone leaves the military they are now a private person and can publicly support whatever party they want and run for office. The world is full of former military officers who have become politicians. Eisenhower went from being the Supreme Allied Commander to President of the US under the Republican party. Save the crap for your Russian business associates Szalay.