Sándor Pintér has served as interior minister all four Orbán cabinets, from 1998 to 2002 and 2010 to present. Pintér also serves as one of three deputy prime ministers in the fourth Orbán government. He is the only minister to serve continuously in all four Orbán cabinets. 

As Interior Minister, Pintér oversees the operations of the Hungarian Police, the Constitution Defense Office (Alkotmányvédelmi Hivatal) domestic intelligence and security agency and the Counter Terrorism Center (Terrorelhárítási Központ) special weapons and tactics agency.

Has served all his terms as Interior Minister as an independent non-member of Fidesz. 

Biography

Born and raised in Budapest. Graduated from the Police Officer College (Rendőrtiszti Főiskola) in Budapest in 1978. Worked in the criminal-investigation divisions of the national, Budapest and Pest County police departments from 1978 to 1991. Received degree from the Loránd Eötvös University School of Law and Political Sciences in Budapest in 1986 at age of 38.

Member of the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party before the System Change in 1990 (source in Hungarian).

Served as National Chief of Police from 1991 to 1996. Retired from the police in the latter year.  

Worked as businessman between two periods as interior minister, operating security, economic-consultation and travel companies.

Last updated: May 7, 2018.