Hungary's security landscape is undergoing significant transformation as the independent Counter-Terrorism Center (TEK) is set to be disbanded and replaced by a new structure within the national police system. According to government spokesperson Szondi Vanda, announced during a press briefing on Thursday, the restructuring aims to eliminate redundancies and streamline operations within the police force. The decision was made after identifying unnecessary parallel structures in the execution of police duties, according to the government’s statement.
The current TEK will cease to operate as an autonomous law enforcement body but will be reorganized under the National Police Headquarters (ORFK). This new TEK will focus on operational tasks and personal protection. Alongside this change, the Ready Police (Készenléti Rendőrség), which has grown significantly over recent years to nearly ten thousand members, will also undergo modifications. From the Ready Police, the National Investigative Office (NNI) will be separated and function independently. However, the Ready Police itself will continue its operations, albeit with adjusted responsibilities.
Within the ORFK, the three entities—new TEK, NNI, and Ready Police—will operate under the chief director's supervision with clearly defined roles. The new TEK will handle operational tasks and personal protection, while the NNI will take over investigations and counter-terrorism intelligence. The Ready Police will manage object protection, explosive-related tasks, event security, and routine police deployments. Additionally, the parliamentary guard currently operating in its present form will be dissolved, with its personal protection duties transferred to the new TEK and object protection duties assigned to the Ready Police.
Maintaining the workforce is a priority, as emphasized by Szondi. The executive staff of the new TEK will retain their previous higher salaries, including those transitioning from the Ready Police or NNI. However, administrative staff in the new TEK will not receive higher pay compared to similar roles in other police units. The government plans to engage in social consultations to ensure broad consensus around these changes.
In a separate report, the online publication 444.hu indicated that the TEK might be fragmented into smaller components. While the Ministry of Interior stated that final legislative amendments affecting the operation of law enforcement agencies have not yet been finalized, ongoing professional discussions are taking place. According to the report, one proposal involves transferring counter-terrorism investigation responsibilities from the TEK to the NNI, effectively removing one of the TEK's primary functions.
Other key responsibilities of the TEK include personal protection and apprehensions. Regarding apprehensions, similar units would be consolidated, while questions remain about how personal protection duties would be managed. If the TEK continues as an organization, it may need to change its name due to political sensitivities associated with its current designation.
Beyond the restructuring of the TEK, there are indications that the NNI could be removed from the Ready Police. The NNI was placed under the Ready Police in 2012 following a decision by then-Minister of Interior Pintér Sándor. According to reports, Minister of Interior Pósfai Gábor aims to revert to the previous arrangement or at least remove the NNI from the Ready Police structure.
The Ministry of Interior responded to inquiries from the media stating that the government's goal is always to ensure fairness, transparency, efficiency, and responsible use of public funds throughout the state agency system, including the operation of law enforcement bodies. This includes maintaining specialized expertise while examining areas where potential overlaps exist in the current system. Should proposals be prepared and decisions made regarding these matters, the government will provide information accordingly.
2 reports
TelexIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 9016 days agoThe independent Counter-Terrorism Center (TEK) will no longer operate as an autonomous law enforcement body. Instead, a new TEK will be established under the supervision of the National Police Headquarters. The reorganization also affects the Emergency Response Unit, which has grown significantly in recent years. The National Investigative Office will be separated from the Emergency Response Unit but will continue to function independently. Within the National Police Headquarters, three organizations will operate under the chief director’s leadership: the new TEK responsible for operational任务和
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual overview of organizational changes within the police force without apparent ideological framing or biased language.
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 90): The article provides detailed and specific information about the reorganization of the TEK, including the new structure, roles of different units, and quotes from Szondi Vanda. The facts are well-supported and align closely with the cross-source consensus.
444.huIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 6520 days agoThe article reports on potential reorganization of Hungary's Counter-Terrorism Center (TEK), based on Telex's sources. The TEK could lose its role in counter-terrorism investigations, which would be transferred to the National Investigative Office (NNI). The TEK's other main tasks—personal protection and apprehensions—are also under review, with some functions possibly being consolidated. If the TEK remains as an organization, it might change its name due to perceived political implications. Additionally, there are discussions about moving the NNI out from under the Emergency Response Police,a
Bias read (Center): The article presents information from multiple sources, including the Ministry of Interior, without overtly favoring any side. It outlines proposed changes to the structure of security agencies but does not take a clear stance on whether these changes are positive or negative.
Why these scores (Factual 75 · Objective 65): The article presents some speculative language such as 'feldarabolják' (they will dismantle), and suggests that the TEK may lose its main function. These points lack direct confirmation from official sources and appear more interpretive than factual. The tone also shows bias by implying negative imp
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