Csaba Hende

Who is Csaba Hende?

Csaba Hende is a Hungarian politician, current Minister of Defence from 29 May 2010.

In 1983 he graduated in law at the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, then practiced as a lawyer in his hometown of Szombathely. Since 1988, he belonged to the Hungarian Democratic Forum. In 1991 he joined the government as parliamentary secretary of state of the Defence Ministry. During the rule of socialist-liberal cabinet he returned to practice law in Szombathely. In the government of Viktor Orbán he served as Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, he held high functions in the MDF party and Members of the mandate on behalf of the Democrats, but in he 2004 moved to Fidesz. In 2006 and 2010 he was re-electioned to obtain the National Assembly on behalf of Fidesz in Vas county. Hende was appointed Minister of Defence in 2010.

His first measure as minister was the replacement of the Chief of Army Staff László Tömböl and more high-rank military officers. The Hungarian Socialist Party called the decision is incomprehensible. Hende justified his step with the fact that many tax evasions and maladministration happened in the army under the previous government. He said that he will restore the honour and prestige of the Honvédség.