Justice Minister Steps Down from Orbán Gov't in Hungary

  • 29 Jun 2023 8:52 AM
  • Hungary Matters
Justice Minister Steps Down from Orbán  Gov't in Hungary
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has acknowledged the intention of Justice Minister Judit Varga to step down from her post and focus on the European parliamentary election campaign.

Orbán has nominated Bence Tuzson, state secretary of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office, to fill the post, his press chief said.

The daily Magyar Nemzet said earlier in the day that Varga is slated to lead ruling Fidesz’s list in the 2024 European Parliament election and would step down from her ministerial post.

In an interview with the paper, Varga said much was at stake in the EP elections, and she wanted to take an active role in forging conservative European institutions and to build multiple alliances.

A “vibrant conservative movement” is growing across Europe, she said. “We must build on this.” Varga said the left-liberal predominance in the EU “must be overturned”.

Referring to her ministerial legacy, she said two major agreements were brought about in Brussels: “a big step forward” in the conditionality procedure in December, and the completion of the judicial package in May, which is yet to be implemented.

Varga also referred to the creation of a national victim help network, the strengthening of child and family rights and a big salary increase for judges and prosecutors.

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