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László Kövér refuses handshake with Tisza Party official
A political controversy has emerged in Hungary following an incident at a memorial plaque unveiling in Bata, where former Speaker of the National Assembly László Kövér reportedly refused to shake hands with Krisztián Kőszegi, the Vice President of the National Assembly from the Tisza Party.
Kőszegi criticized the refusal as undignified and a sign of deepening social division, noting that the role of Speaker requires setting an example beyond parliamentary work. The Fidesz party, through spokesperson Bertalan Havasi, responded by labeling Kőszegi a representative of a party that is “dismantling the democratic rule of law,” maintaining a stance of total opposition to the Tisza Party.
Other political figures have weighed in on the friction. Gábor Vona, president of the Second Reform Era, called the act “clumsy” and suggested that if Fidesz cannot show basic respect to parliamentary colleagues, they should collectively resign their mandates. Meanwhile, Péter Magyar and Ágnes Forsthoffer expressed support for Kőszegi, characterizing the refusal as an ideological rather than a human gesture.
Entities
Fidesz · Krisztián Kőszegi · László Kövér · Peter Magyar · Tisza Party
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Prime Minister Péter Magyar described the refusal to shake hands as scandalous. www.blikk.hu
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Fidesz communications director Bertalan Havasi criticized Krisztián Kőszegi as a representative of a party dismantling the rule of law. hvg.hu
- [● 3 SOURCES] László Kövér refused to shake hands with Krisztián Kőszegi during a memorial event in Báta. www.blikk.hu · hvg.hu
- [● 3 SOURCES] Krisztián Kőszegi claimed the incident demonstrates a lack of openness to cooperation by Fidesz. www.blikk.hu · hvg.hu
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Parliament Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer expressed pride in Krisztián Kőszegi for attempting the handshake. www.blikk.hu