Hungary's opposition proposes establishing Home Guard

Fidesz has joined a proposal put forward by the Christian Democrats for establishing a Honi Gárda (Home Guard) within the armed forces.

Fidesz-era secret services minister Ervin Demeter told reporters on Sunday that the Home Guard would be similar to troops that operate in several NATO countries, as it would perform duties during natural disasters, and would supplement army combat units in conflicts. Christian Democrat István Simicskó has twice before initiated the establishment of such a body, made up of 1,000 men in each county.

The Defence Ministry did not say no to the idea during cross-party talks on the proposal in June. Defence Minister Imre Szekeres told reporters on Sunday that he is glad that Fidesz joined the original proposal.

Socialist spokesman István Nyakó said his party is open to the initiative, but warned that the Home Guard and the Magyar Gárda planned by the far-right Jobbik party might get mixed up in people's minds. Demeter said their proposal has nothing to do with Jobbik's plan.

Free Democrat deputy caucus leader Péter Gusztos said it is doubtful whether such a guard is needed in Hungary.

Parliament passed a resolution six years ago on establishing a National Guard, but it was voided when the Socialists came to power in 2002.

The above story is just one of more than two dozen published today by Hungary Around the Clock, the most comprehensive source of daily English-language news about Hungary. For a free trial of HATC, click here. Hungarian news sources include Népszabadság; Magyar Hírlap; Világgazdaság; Napi Gazdaság; Magyar Nemzet; Népszava; Kossuth Rádió news and Hungarian television's nightly news broadcast.

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