Former prime minister Viktor Orbán has insisted that he has nothing to do with the estate at Hatvanpuszta, which many have compared with 18th- and 19th-century French châteaux. Others have wondered why his father, who is approaching his 86th birthday, might need a contemplative walkway or a grand reception area spanning several hundred square metres. He has now been fined millions of forints, while the number of complaints against the project continues to grow.
Where did the money come from?
Győző Orbán Sr, former PM Viktor Orbán’s father, was born neither wealthy nor a businessman. Yet he successfully – and, many believe, under at least questionable circumstances – acquired the stone quarry at Gánt during privatisation. He later obtained further quarries, founded a logistics company and, during his son’s governments, repeatedly won contracts to supply major state construction projects.
So much so that Dolomit Kft generated a profit of HUF 2.6 billion last year alone, of which Mr Orbán Snr took HUF 1.3 billion in dividends. Gánt Kő Kft contributed a comparatively modest HUF 50 million.
A share of those billion-forint dividends could easily fund luxury developments, such as the conversion of the former Habsburg estate at Hatvanpuszta, near Alcsútdoboz, into a château. The Hungarian Chamber of Architects, however, says the work was carried out unlawfully.
Ákos Hadházy, the former independent MP, had already filed a complaint over the alleged irregularities, but it was rejected at the time. The police may now launch an investigation.
A multimillion-forint fine
According to RTL Híradó, the Hungarian Chamber of Architects fined those involved in the development almost HUF 6 million. It said, among other things, that it had not authorised the demolition of listed buildings – referring to the former Habsburg stables – yet the demolition nevertheless went ahead.
Dániel Taraczky, the architect responsible for the Hatvanpuszta project, has already been reprimanded and fined over the matter, although the decision is not yet legally binding.
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Mr Orbán has maintained that he has no connection with his father’s estate. Gergely Gulyás, the former minister in charge of the Prime Minister’s Office and later leader of Fidesz’s parliamentary group, has claimed that the site was the subject not of heritage destruction but of heritage preservation – even though the former listed building was demolished.
The Chamber of Architects nevertheless says that the destruction of the protected stables was unlawful. It also cited, among other things, a decorative pool, solar panels and retaining walls built without the required notification.
Taraczky and Orbán are currently in Serbia. They previously attended a trumpet festival with Oszkár Világi, MOL’s deputy chief executive.
Viktor Orbán filmed in Serbia with MOL executive and controversial Hatvanpuszta estate architect
