Incoming health minister Zsolt Hegedűs calls on Culture Minister Balázs Hankó to step down, citing ethical concerns and sharp contrasts with struggling healthcare system.

Political pressure grows over NKA controversy

Political tensions in Hungary have escalated as Zsolt Hegedűs, the incoming health minister linked to the Tisza Party, publicly called for the resignation of Balázs Hankó over a growing scandal surrounding the National Cultural Fund (NKA).

In a strongly worded social media post, Hegedűs criticised Hankó’s recent television interview, in which the minister reportedly described controversial funding decisions as matters of “cultural taste”. Hegedűs argued that such remarks downplay serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the allocation of public funds.

“Not a matter of taste, but responsibility”

Hegedűs emphasised that Hankó bears direct political responsibility for the NKA, having served as both minister and head of the organisation. He pointed out that substantial sums, ranging from hundreds of millions to billions of forints, were awarded under decisions that even prompted resignations from members of the fund’s governing bodies.

According to Hegedűs, the situation cannot be dismissed as subjective cultural judgement. Instead, he framed it as a question of political accountability, stating that a minister should act decisively when irregularities arise rather than deflect criticism.

Healthcare struggles deepen criticism

A central element of Hegedűs’s argument is the stark contrast between cultural spending and Hungary’s strained healthcare system. Although healthcare formally falls under Interior Minister Sándor Pintér, Hegedűs noted that Hankó, as a government member and trained pharmacist, would have been fully aware of systemic challenges.

He highlighted issues such as lengthy waiting times, rejected applications for life-saving treatments, and the burdens faced by patients navigating Hungary’s “individual equity” drug approval system. In this context, he described the large-scale distribution of cultural funds (some reportedly to newly established or little-known companies) as “deeply troubling”.

Resignations and calls for accountability

The controversy has already triggered a wave of resignations within the NKA’s leadership and advisory structures. Among those stepping down were prominent cultural figures, including László Baán, director-general of the Museum of Fine Arts, and Miklós Both, head of the House of Traditions. Attila Vidnyánszky, director of the National Theatre, also resigned from his committee role, Index reported.

Earlier, Balázs Bús had already stepped down from his NKA position prior to the scandal fully unfolding.

Critics within the cultural sector have voiced strong concerns. Composer István Márta and Balázs Weyer, head of the Music Hungary Association, both suggested that the issue goes beyond institutional failings, directly implicating the minister.

Government response and further investigations

Hankó has defended the funding process, insisting that applications were open and that allocations were made in accordance with regulations. He also argued that the success of funded projects would only become clear over time.

Meanwhile, Zoltán Tarr, incoming culture minister aligned with the opposition, has pledged a full investigation into the NKA’s operations, promising accountability and the restoration of the fund’s independence.

An extraordinary committee session has already ordered interim professional and financial reports from beneficiaries of key cultural funding programmes for 2025–2026, signalling that scrutiny of the contributions is likely to intensify.

What’s next? Political scandals unfold in Hungary as arrests, corruption allegations and resignations mount

“No consequences” must end, says Hegedűs

Hegedűs concluded his remarks by demanding immediate political accountability. He argued that in a “normal country”, a minister facing such allegations would resign within 24 hours and relinquish their parliamentary mandate.

He also warned that if any legal violations are uncovered in the allocation of NKA funds, consequences should extend beyond politics to the courts.

“The era of a Hungary without consequences must come to an end,” he stated.

If you missed it: Multinational subsidies in Hungary to be reviewed, says minister-designate Kapitány