Military changes: Government allowed to deploy Hungarian troops abroad in secret
The Hungarian government just passed a law that significantly changes how military deployments are handled. Now, the government can make decisions about sending troops abroad without needing approval from Parliament, even skipping public debate in certain cases.
The new legislation grants the cabinet full authority to launch international military actions under “special circumstances,” and these decisions will be shared only through official announcements, like the Hungarian Gazette or other government publications. This shift in decision-making power also introduces stricter control over sensitive information.
According to 24.hu, when a deployment involves classified details, the government can decide to withhold key information, such as the mission’s purpose, methods, or specific equipment used. Officials can choose to keep these details confidential if they believe that sharing them would risk national security or compromise international relations.
Experts opinion on the recent changes
Security analysts highlight that nearly all foreign missions involve some level of secrecy. József Kis-Benedek, a security expert at the National University of Public Service, explains that details about the mission’s objectives, the soldiers’ routes, and the equipment they carry are usually classified. Protecting these details can be crucial for troop safety. Although there is no external push from NATO or the EU requiring Hungary to make this change, supporters argue that the law could allow Hungary to respond more quickly in international situations.
The Chad Mission
A recent example of Hungary’s military involvement abroad is the deployment to Chad. Last year, Parliament approved sending 200 Hungarian troops to Chad, a number that could rise to 400 if rotations are needed, for a mission expected to last until the end of 2025. The aim is to protect Hungarian interests and support counterterrorism efforts. This mission is particularly challenging because Hungary is responsible for all aspects of logistics and security, from transporting troops to managing equipment. Adding to public interest, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s son, Gáspár Orbán, has reportedly been involved in organising the mission.
The new law does not only affect Hungarian troops going abroad; it also changes the rules around foreign military presence in Hungary. While Parliament still has the final say in most cases, the government now has the authority to make decisions independently for deployments connected to NATO, EU, and UN missions. This flexibility lets Hungary react more swiftly to the shifting geopolitical landscape, particularly with the increasing security pressures across Europe.
Ultimately, this legislation is intended to give the Hungarian government the agility to respond quickly to emerging security needs, while significantly limiting the transparency that was previously expected in military operations.
DK to appeal to Constitutional Court over soldiers’ legal status
According to MTI, Ágnes Vadai, the deputy group leader of the opposition Democratic Coalition, has submitted a motion to the Constitutional Court, seeking to annul the government decree on the legal status of Hungarian soldiers, the party’s press department said on Thursday.
The initiative has the support of the “democratic opposition”, with the exception of Momentum, so that a sufficient number of signatures has been collected to get the go-ahead, they said.
Vadai spoke about the issue in a Facebook video on Thursday, where she said those who defended their country had to be sure that they would not be sacked overnight. So it is important to record the rights and obligations of soldiers in a law secured with two-thirds majority, she added.
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