Tamás Harangozó, the party’s deputy parliamentary group leader, said that the ruling Fidesz party’s proposed constitutional amendments to include a “state of terrorist threat” among instances that mandate the domestic deployment of the armed forces would not be up to the task of managing terrorist threats, and the police forces and national security services should be strengthened both financially and through staff increases.

Harangozó added that the government should also strengthen the border police force, “clarify the legal status” of the TEK counterterrorism force and boost public security.

The deputy group leader proposed that the border police force should be reorganised and divided up with each division being assigned a specific border section. He said it was “cynical” of the government to reduce the budget of TEK and the police force while “continuing to talk about migration pressure”.

Harangozó noted that parliament rejected his party’s earlier proposal to amend the penal code to criminalise joining or financing terrorist groups and participation in terrorist propaganda.

Lawmakers also rejected the party’s proposal to expand the size of the Hungarian army, he said, noting that it currently faces a shortage of 5,500 soldiers. He said the party would resubmit both proposals to parliament.

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