Human resources minister Balog resigns

Zoltán Balog is to tender his resignation as head of the ministry of human resources (Emmi).

In an interview to the news portal Origo, the Fidesz politician said he will head the Foundation for a Civic Hungary fulltime instead.

In the interview published late on Monday, Balog said he had discussed the post-election future in two long conversations with the prime minister, and Viktor Orbán told him that Emmi would keep its structure and composition.

“I suggested some changes which he did not accept. He offered me a choice: either do the job in its current form or I could have a different job.

I have been involved in the ministry’s work for the last six years, and what I know is that I don’t want to continue in this way,” Balog said.

He said Orbán had asked him for three names for his replacement and would soon make his choice between them.

Balog said the other task Orbán had outlined — the foundation which provides the intellectual and legal background in the fight against Europe — seemed “very exciting”. He said it was time to do a job in which there was less daily exposure to the public.

Whereas he has formally led the foundation run by the ruling Fidesz, his government work prevented him devoting himself to the job fulltime, he said.

Balog noted that Orbán was basically in favour of small government, so the number of ministers was not expected to change.