In an interview Hungarian daily Magyar Hírlap published on Thursday, 14 January, the Minister of Defence said that “there will be changes in the functioning of the Ministry of Defence, because this is the only way to achieve our two main goals: to increase speed and to reduce bureaucracy”.

Dr. István Simicskó stated that it is important to eliminate duplications in the system of public administration and the General Staff, and to reduce bureaucracy. He added that the resources and money that would become available as a result of these measures could be used in more important directions and places.

He also revealed that his plans include the establishment of a maximally ideology-free organization, which will be able to reach out to young people in a more effective way than before. As he said, among others, it had been suggested that young people above the age of 18 could voluntarily participate in a one-month basic training program, after which they would be free to decide whether they want to continue it or not. 

The Minister of Defence referred to the rise of various militant organizations following the abolishment of compulsory military service, calling it an international phenomenon. As reported by Magyar Hírlap, he said that in the absence of order, guard movements and defensive formations would appear sooner or later anywhere. These organizations are based on party politics almost without exception, and lull people into a false sense of security, often misleading even those who are at bottom honest and well-meaning.

(Ministry of Defence)