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Orban names ex-spokesman as Hungary foreign minister

19 September 2014, 13:32 CET
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(BUDAPEST) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban nominated on Friday his 36-year-old former spokesman Peter Szijjarto to be the EU country's new foreign minister.

"Prime Minister Viktor Orban is nominating Peter Szijjarto to be appointed foreign minister," the prime minister's office said.

Tibor Navracsics, outgoing foreign minister, has been selected as EU commissioner for education and culture by Jean-Claude Juncker, who takes over as head of the European Commission in November.

With Orban's relations with Brussels strained over what critics say is an autocratic style of government, Navracsics faces a tough grilling by Brussels legislators before his appointment is confirmed.

Szijjarto, who entered politics at 20, is considered a close confidant of the right-wing Orban, 51, and is currently deputy foreign minister. His appointment must be confirmed by the president but this is a formality.


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