Hungarian lawmaker likens state asset recovery office to communist secret police

Gábor Szűcs, a member of the Hungarian parliament, has drawn a stark parallel between the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office (NVVH) and the Államvédelmi Hatóság (ÁVH), the notorious secret police of the Rákosi era.

Szűcs, a Fidesz representative, argued that the current majority within the NVVH has established an organization whose powers in several aspects echo those of the former communist political police. This comparison highlights concerns about the extent of state authority and potential overreach.

Furthermore, the lawmaker criticized the recent renaming of counties, suggesting it represents a regression to practices reminiscent of the communist period. This move, associated with figures like Péter Magyar, is seen by Szűcs as a step backward in Hungary's political landscape.

The parliamentary address by Szűcs underscores a debate surrounding the structure and authority of state institutions, with critics drawing parallels to Hungary's authoritarian past.