Hundreds to join far-right Hungarian Guard

The far-right paramilitary group known as the "Hungarian Guard" (Magyar Gárda) will inaugurate 600 new members - including its first female recruit - on Budapest's Hősök tere on October 21, reports daily Népszava. The expected wave of new members will increase the total size of the group tenfold since it was officially launched on August 25.

The weekly Magyar Demokrata earlier wrote that in the first month after the guard was established, hundreds wanted to join each day, and there are still 20 to 30 applicants daily.

The first inauguration ceremony was notable for the presence of several well-known dignitaries. Former defense minister Lajos Für handed over credentials to the guardists, Fidesz MP Mária Wittner gave a speech, and the Árpád-striped flag of the group was blessed by church officials without the consent of the church.

The upcoming ceremony will reportedly be attended by Für, Wittner and the co-president of the Civil Lawyers Committee (CJB), Krisztina Morvai.

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