Máté Kocsis, the parliamentary group leader of ruling Fidesz, has called for the introduction of a new child protection regime with clear-cut rules.
During an interview with public radio on Sunday, Kocsis said the government had ordered inspections into the current state of affairs when it came to protecting children. He said Fidesz’s child protection package will contain around 20 amendment proposals, including stricter punishment for the sexual abuse of children. The possibility of imposing harsher punishment on those who help cover up child abuse will also be looked into, he added. Also, the ruling parties will propose ending the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse and make child abusers ineligible for a certificate of good conduct, he said. On another subject, Kocsis said Sweden had “made several gestures” towards Hungary in recent weeks, including a visit by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. He said it was more the left-wing and liberal parties in Sweden that had “disparaged” Hungary, but this was “either actively, or at least passively tolerated by the entire Swedish political elite”. He said the gestures gave cause for hope, and Fidesz’s parliamentary group no longer saw any obstacles to ratifying Sweden’s NATO membership.