Orbán promises to crack down on Magyar Gárda
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán yesterday vowed to ban the Magyar Gárda movement after he met with Jobbik party MPs.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Orbán said “just as the theft of hens will not be unpunished, we cannot tolerate paramilitary groups wanting to do justice outside the law, or that MPs ignore Hungarian courts and their rulings. As for me, I will not give my assent for us to march out of civilisation”.
Referring to the Gárda’s ongoing activity despite a ban by the courts, Orbán said “I will not rest until a law is passed that unequivocally excludes the possibility of the 'hide and seek' that we now experience”.
“It is not simply the Gárda as a paramilitary group, which in itself is a serious problem, that is at stake, but the mentality that is behind it,” Orbán said.
Declaring that he considers democracy and the rule of law to be fundamental values, Orbán said he is ready to seek confrontation with any party that does not think that way.
Jobbik chairman Gábor Vona said the purpose of his party is to 'decriminalise' the issue of the Gárda, so that they may avail themselves of their political rights, but Orbán showed no readiness to accept that idea.
Vona warned that the Gárda will cause a major conflict in the coming years between his party and the governing forces.
On other matters, Jobbik found unacceptable Orbán's statement that Hungary's policy toward Israel agrees with that of the EU.
Fidesz and Jobbik found something to agree on, as both parties said demographics are a top priority, and that people should be encouraged to have children because of Hungary’s dwindling population.
Orbán was accompanied to the meeting by his spokesman Péter Szijjártó and Prime Minister’s Office state secretary Mihály Varga.
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