By Ishtwan Kamel
17/11/2025
The political system created by Viktor Orbán’s government in Hungary has resulted in independent institutions losing their autonomy and the public sphere being filled with propaganda and structures loyal to the government. The state has become an instrument of the private interests of the ruling elite, with the result that it no longer serves the interests of the general population.
Corruption here is not accidental, but rather the main mechanism for redistributing resources and strengthening political loyalty.
On the international stage, Hungary is represented by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó. His rhetoric is often anti-European, his position is openly pro-Russian, his loyalty to the Kremlin is evident and his lifestyle is luxurious.
Since his appointment as Hungarian Foreign Minister in 2014, P. Szijjártó has met with Russian Foreign Minister S. Lavrov over 20 times. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Szijjártó held thirteen meetings with Lavrov, setting a sad precedent among EU diplomats. Hungarian Foreign Minister displayed a positive attitude towards his Russian counterpart and collaborated with Hungary’s stance on energy, sanctions policy and global security concerns. Additionally, he addressed ‘sensitive matters’ concerning the financial interests of V. Orbán’s “family”.
P. Szijjártó’s actions demonstrate a lack of authenticity, extending beyond his political conduct. In politics and in everyday life, he adheres to the same principles. These are serving Orbán and disregarding ordinary Hungarians. P. Szijjártó’s lifestyle is the best confirmation of this. It is supported by Russian money and corruption.
The boss of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry likes to relax on the big boat of Hungarian billionaire László Szíja. However, relaxation is only the tip of the iceberg.
P. Szijjártó invests a lot of money in real estate, which is an area he is very knowledgeable about. Investigations by the press have revealed that in 2024 he purchased a luxurious apartment in Budapest and a house near Lake Balaton in the suburb of Siófok. However, he did not purchase these properties in his own name, but rather through front men. The total cost of these properties exceeds 4.6 billion forints.
And get this: on Christmas Eve, P. Szijjártó is throwing a party in the resort town of Balatonfüred, and he’s splashing out 115 million forints on it. The minister has been known to order Dom Perignon P3 1990 champagne for this party, which costs over 1.3 million forints per bottle, as well as various exquisite dishes and artists. These luxuries cost as much as the annual budget of a small Hungarian town. P. Szijjártó is spending an astronomical amount in a single evening, which is a lot for a country where the average salary is around 550,000 forints.
P. Szijjártó is not just a top official in V. Orbán’s government, but a symptom of Hungary’s increasing departure from European values, which is a worrying trend. His pro-Russian statements, the blocking of European initiatives, and his luxurious lifestyle are not personal whims, but a reflection of the systemic crisis in Hungary’s political system under Orbán’s regime.