Hungarian Army faces crisis as officer warns of mass exodus

An active-duty officer in the Hungarian Armed Forces has publicly warned of a deepening crisis within the military, citing declining morale, worsening conditions, and a potential wave of resignations.

Captain Szilveszter Palinkas, who previously served as the face of a government recruitment campaign, delivered a sharp critique of Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky and the current state of the armed forces in an interview with Telex.

Palinkas said dissatisfaction among soldiers is growing, driven by deteriorating service conditions and policy changes that he argues have undermined both professionalism and morale. He pointed to the cancellation of overtime pay, reductions in bonuses, increased centralisation of decision-making, insufficient military equipment, and poor living conditions in barracks as key issues.

He warned that many soldiers are considering leaving the military and are currently staying only due to legal restrictions. According to Palinkas, the removal of these constraints could trigger a mass exodus, posing a serious risk to Hungary’s long-term combat readiness.

The officer also raised concerns about the politicisation of the military and Hungary’s rhetoric within NATO, suggesting that such developments are causing unease among the country’s allies.

The interview was published ten days ahead of the parliamentary elections. Polling data indicates that the opposition TISZA Party is leading with 56–58% support among decided voters, while Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party is polling at 35–37%.

By Tamilla Hasanova