A political dispute has erupted in Hungary after Prime Minister Péter Magyar published photos of the renovated headquarters of Hungary’s Supreme Court, the Curia, accusing its leadership of enjoying lavish, taxpayer-funded luxury while lower-ranking judicial staff remain underpaid.
The criticism triggered a sharp response from former minister Gergely Gulyás, who defended Curia president András Zs. Varga and accused the new government of attempting to influence Hungary’s independent judiciary.
Photos of marble bathrooms and gold ceilings spark controversy
The political row began after Magyar shared images from the Curia’s refurbishment on Sunday morning. According to reports, the photos showed gilded ceilings in the presidential office, marble-covered bathrooms, terraces overlooking the Hungarian Parliament building, and even a judges’ club featuring a bar counter.
The prime minister claimed the renovation had been carried out “in secret” using public money, while many employees working in Hungary’s justice system continue to struggle with low salaries and difficult working conditions.
Magyar also once again called on András Zs. Varga to resign.
Gulyás says Hungary remains a state governed by the rule of law
In a Facebook post, Gulyás strongly rejected the accusations and said Magyar had launched another “unworthy attack” against a respected public figure, following previous criticism aimed at President Tamás Sulyok and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Ferenc Krausz.
The former minister argued that Hungary continues to operate under the rule of law and insisted that courts remain independent from the government. He also claimed that even the European Commission had acknowledged the independence of Hungary’s judicial system despite its broader disputes with previous Fidesz governments.
According to Gulyás, the attacks against the Curia’s president amount to an “unconstitutional attempt” by the new administration to bring the judiciary under political control.
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Kossuth Square reconstruction at centre of dispute
Gulyás stressed that the Curia renovation was not initiated personally by András Zs. Varga but formed part of the bigger reconstruction programme around Kossuth Square, a major symbolic and political centre in Budapest.
He added that the same redevelopment project also includes the György Szabad Office Building, where MPs from the ruling Tisza Party are expected to move after parliamentary office staff are relocated.
Gulyás accused the governing party of hypocrisy, saying the “luxury” criticised in the Curia project does not appear to trouble Tisza politicians when it concerns office space intended for their own use.
Gulyás concluded his statement by urging the new government to focus on governing rather than what he described as daily political agitation and social media campaigns targeting independent constitutional institutions.
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I don’t think anyone conflates criticism of flagrant overspending of public funds with interference in the judicial system just because it’s the Kuria that sanctioned the expenditure. If what Gulyas claims is true, if each Kuria judge was awarded a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce to commute to work the government and by extension the electorate would have no right to express their displeasure as that would amount to an attack on the independence of the judiciary.
On the subject of removing Fidesz appointed heads from state bodies (including the judicial system), we all know that the last 16 years bore witness to the party-faithful being parachuted into key positions who would ensure the erstwhile government would always be supported at critical junctures. Their ongoing tenure in office is untenable, retaining them until the expiry of their mandate is not an option. Fidesz won’t get far with this line of attack as every Tisza voter knew what they’re signing up for before the election and they’re fully supportive of these moves. I guess Gulyas is on the hook to say something credible otherwise they end up looking like 6 stone weaklings.