Scandalous dismissals, revealing audio recordings – political revenge campaign sweeps through public administration

Hungary's new government is undertaking a swift and significant restructuring of its public administration, leading to the dismissal of numerous civil servants who served under the previous administration. The government justifies these actions by stating a need to differentiate between professional work and political service, aiming to build an administration that serves the public good and the Hungarian people.

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The government also announced that a significant portion of ministry employees had performed their duties honestly and professionally in recent years, but there were also those who were not simple executors but active servants of the previous government.

However, some of the dismissed employees have come forward, refuting the government's claims. They assert that their employment contracts were terminated by mutual agreement and deny engaging in political activities or serving the previous government's political agenda. Many state they did not even vote for the party previously in power, expressing confusion and dismay over their dismissals.

These personnel changes extend beyond the ministries. In a rapid shake-up, leaders of key national security organizations, including the Constitution Protection Office, the Information Office, the National Security Service, and the Military National Security Service, have been replaced. New appointments have been made, effective immediately, signaling a broad shift in the country's security apparatus.

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They also added that they did not vote for Fidesz, so they are bewildered by their dismissal.

The situation has sparked controversy, with allegations of political retribution surfacing. The government maintains its actions are aimed at ensuring a professional and politically neutral civil service, while those affected question the fairness and transparency of the process.

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Following the outbreak of the scandal, György Velkey, state secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, admitted that dismissals were indeed taking place at the ministry, and announced that after the review following the change of government, the employment contracts of 45 civil servants would be terminated as part of the institutional transformation of the Foreign Ministry.