Laszlo Kover is a prominent figure in Hungarian politics, known for his significant roles within the Fidesz party and as the Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament. Here are some detailed points about his life and career:
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Early Life and Education: Born on December 29, 1959, in Papa, Hungary, Laszlo Kover completed his education at the Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, where he graduated with a degree in law.
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Political Career:
- Kover joined Fidesz in 1988, which was then an anti-communist student movement. He has been closely associated with the party's founder, Viktor Orban, and played a key role in its transformation into a major political party.
- He served as the Minister of Civilian Intelligence Services from 1998 to 2002 under Orban's first government.
- In 2010, following Fidesz's landslide victory, Kover was elected as the Speaker of the National Assembly, a position he has held since, marking him as one of the longest-serving Speakers in Hungarian history.
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Role and Influence:
- As the Speaker, Kover has been instrumental in shaping parliamentary procedures and has often been at the center of debates regarding the rule of law, media freedom, and political rights in Hungary.
- He has been criticized by opposition parties and international organizations for his perceived role in the centralization of power and for controversial statements on issues like migration, homosexuality, and historical revisionism.
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Controversies:
- His tenure has seen several controversies, including his comments on various social issues which have often stirred public and international debate.
- In 2012, he was involved in a dispute over the removal of the Hungarian Socialist Party from the parliament's committee on national security, which was seen as an attempt to limit opposition influence.
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Personal Views:
- Kover is known for his conservative views, particularly on topics like family values, national identity, and historical revisionism, often aligning with the nationalist rhetoric of Fidesz.
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