Controversy in Hungary after Péter Magyar appointed his brother-in-law to a top post. How the new prime minister defends himself
The decision of new Budapest leader Péter Magyar to appoint his brother-in-law to head the Ministry of Justice has drawn harsh criticism from the opposition and accusations of nepotism, according to EuroNews.com.
Magyar based his election campaign on a promise to clean up the Hungarian political scene and restore the checks and balances that had been gradually eroded by former Prime Minister Viktor Orban during his 16 years in office. But one of his first decisions immediately attracted a wave of negative reactions.
On April 30, Magyar made two appointments that finalized the composition of the new government cabinet of the Tisza party. He appointed Gábor Pósfai for the position of Minister of the Interior and Márton Melléthei-Barna for the position of Minister of Justice.
Márton Melléthei-Barna is a lawyer and former university colleague of the future Prime Minister of Hungary, Péter Magyar. He was one of the founding members of the Tisza party and held the position of legal director of the formation. At the same time, he is married to Péter Magyar's sister, Anna Ilona.
“The world of brothers and brothers-in-law”
Reactions from the Fidesz camp were extremely harsh, directly attacking Péter Magyar's campaign promises, according to Hungarian media.
Secretary of State Bence Rétvári reacted sourly on social media, saying that the old system is over, but the new Tisza government is bringing “the world of brothers and brothers-in-law” instead.
Communicators of the party, such as Balázs Németh, described as an “absolute cabaret” the fact that Magyar demanded transparency, but appointed his own family to a key ministry, notes the portal Szeretlek Magyarország.
Criticisms also targeted the professional past of the future minister, with media channels close to Fidesz mentioning the fact that Melléthei-Barna worked in the past at a law firm that had consulting ties to George Soros' funds, writes the conservative Hungarian news and analysis website, Ellenpont.
How the new prime minister responds
In reply, Péter Magyar explained that the choice of Melléthei-Barna was based on solid professional trust and long-standing loyalty.
“The domestic and international career of the future justice minister, his high-quality work and vision are indisputable,” Magyar said in a video. “He has been part of our regime change movement since the beginning, helping to shape and develop our work and program,” he added.
Magyar recalled that the future minister joined the movement before his marriage in 2025:
“Long after he joined our community, he united his life with my sister's. For this reason, I naturally consider it particularly important that his work be as public as possible, and that all his decisions be transparent.”
He acknowledged that concerns about a family relationship within the government team were “understandable” and said his sister would be suspended from the judiciary, where she previously worked as a judge.
