Fidesz Parliamentary Group Leader Comments on Child Protection Law and Political Rivalries
Fidesz parliamentary group leader Máté Kocsis has made statements regarding the tightening of child protection laws, expected to be submitted in April.
During an appearance on the Bayer Show, Kocsis discussed the controversy surrounding Péter Magyar, who he accused of abusing family trust by secretly recording a conversation with his wife, Judit Varga. Kocsis questioned how Magyar expects to succeed in public life after such actions, suggesting that people will now doubt whether their conversations with him are being recorded. Magyar has defended his actions as an attempt to protect his positions, which he previously claimed were obtained through Varga, though this has been denied by the government.
Kocsis attributed Magyar's popularity to disappointment among the country's left-wing voters in their politicians, who have been unsuccessful at the polls and are associated with issues like migration and war that even centrist left-wing individuals may not see as aligning with national interests. Kocsis suggests that these voters are now seeking alternative leadership, seeing Magyar as a new potential figurehead supported by the left-wing media, yet ultimately, Ferenc Gyurcsány will settle the matter within the opposition.
Kocsis further criticized those funding Hungarian left-wing politics, stating it is in their elementary interest to ensure Hungary has a government supportive of war, regardless of whether the leadership is named Ferenc Gyurcsány, Péter Márki-Zay, or Péter Magyar.
On the legislative front, Kocsis announced that the government plans to propose stricter child protection laws in April, highlighting mandatory psychological suitability exams for child protection leaders and penal consequences for professionals (including pediatricians, nurses, and teachers) who fail to report abuse. The amendments aim to address issues like the mercy scandal and will include significant changes such as the non-expiration of child abuse crimes.
This comes as the National Assembly is set to hold a political debate on Monday about a national strategy for children, sparked by opposition initiatives. A report from Népszava revealed that over the past 14 years, not a single child protection initiative from the opposition has reached voting in parliament, despite 30 resolutions and 27 legislative amendments being specifically related to child protection and paedophilia issues.