Hungary’s child protection system could be set for significant changes, as reports suggest that child rights expert Szilvia Gyurkó may take on a senior government role in the incoming Tisza administration.
Child protection to be strengthened by the Tisza government
According to multiple sources, Gyurkó – founder of the Hintalovon Child Rights Foundation – has been invited to serve as State Secretary for Child Rights and Child Protection within the Ministry of Social and Family Affairs, led by Vilmos Kátai-Németh. While she has not officially confirmed the appointment, she has also not denied the reports.
The move would mark a structural shift, as child protection policy was previously overseen by the Interior Ministry. That period, under State Secretary Attila Fülöp, was marked by several controversies, including restrictions on parliamentary visits to child protection institutions and disputes over blocked donations intended for children in state care, per HVG.hu.
A highly skilled specialist to take a very important role
Gyurkó brings extensive academic and professional experience to the role. A law graduate of Eötvös Loránd University, she pursued further studies at Columbia University and attended programmes in Geneva and at Harvard. Between 2012 and 2014, she served as child rights director at UNICEF Hungary, and later established the Hintalovon Foundation, where she continues to work as an advisor and trainer.
She has been outspoken about systemic shortcomings in Hungary’s child protection framework. In previous interviews, Gyurkó warned that there is “nothing right” within the sector, citing a chronic shortage of foster parents, trained professionals and available placements. She also highlighted the lack of support services and coordination between sectors.
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She addressed apparently “non-existent” problems, too
A particularly troubling issue, she noted, is that despite legal safeguards, many children still enter state care due to poverty-related factors. “Although the law forbids removing children from families solely for financial reasons, the reality often contradicts this,” she has said.
Gyurkó has also reflected on high-profile abuse cases, including the scandal at a children’s home in Bicske, where systemic failures allowed abuse to continue for years before a conviction was secured in 2018. She later described her own role in advising against early media exposure as a mistake, underscoring the complexity of protecting victims while ensuring accountability.
The anticipated appointment aligns with broader reform plans outlined by Tisza Party leader Péter Magyar. These include a comprehensive review of past abuses, increased funding, wage rises for child protection workers, and expanded capacity in care institutions. The party has also pledged to modernise facilities by 2030 and establish a dedicated Children’s Rights Ombudsman.
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We have thrown out a government that allowed abuse of children while lying that they were protecting them and replaced it with a government that actually protects children.