Hungarian PM Dismisses Official After Bizarre Confrontation
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar dismissed Deputy State Secretary Bertalan Havasi following a surreal public altercation at the Karmelita Palace in Budapest. The incident, involving heated exchanges and unusual references, prompted immediate termination. Subsequently, Fidesz politicians Gergely Gulyás and Bence Rétvári incorrectly criticized the dismissal’s legality, later retracting their statements after legal experts confirmed the government structure remained valid until June 2026. This event underscores significant tension during Hungary’s administrative transition and highlights friction between the new administration and Orbán’s loyalists.
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Gulyás Claims Colleagues Deleted His Post Criticizing Havasi's Dismissal as Illegal
Hungarian politician Gergely Gulyás asserts that his social media post regarding the dismissal of Bertalan Havasi was removed by colleagues without his consent. Havasi, the former press chief for Viktor Orbán and deputy state secretary, was fired by Prime Minister Péter Magyar following a public confrontation. Gulyás and fellow Fidesz politician Bence Rétvári initially argued the termination was illegal, claiming the Minister in charge of the Cabinet Office lacked the authority to propose dismissals after leaving the post. However, both politicians deleted their statements after facing criticism and legal corrections. Péter Magyar mocked their legal interpretation, noting their lack of understanding despite years in government. Legal experts and existing decrees indicate that the Prime Minister's Cabinet Office formally remains active until June 2026, complicating the legal arguments against the dismissal. The incident highlights growing tensions and legal ambiguities within the current Hungarian administration regarding ministerial powers and employment laws.
444Hungarian Politician Rétvári Errs in Legal Critique of Havasi's Dismissal
This article reports on a political controversy in Hungary following Prime Minister Péter Magyar's decision to dismiss Bertalan Havasi, a former press chief under Viktor Orbán. The dismissal occurred after a public altercation and Havasi's insulting statement against the Prime Minister and his allies. Bence Rétvári, a former Secretary of State, criticized the dismissal as legally improper, arguing that the Prime Minister acted on the recommendation of a minister heading a Cabinet Office that no longer exists in the new government structure. However, Rétvári's critique was factually flawed. Legal experts pointed out that while the Ministry of European Union Affairs and the Prime Minister's Cabinet Office are set to merge into the Prime Minister's Office, a specific government decree (No. 90/2026) sets their formal termination date for June 2026. Consequently, these ministries still legally exist. Recognizing his mistake, Rétvári deleted his critical post. The incident highlights the complexities of the ongoing governmental transition and the scrutiny faced by political figures regarding legal accuracy.
444Bertalan Havasi Attacks Péter Magyar and Gergely Gulyás After Dismissal
Bertalan Havasi, former press chief to Viktor Orbán, engaged in a bizarre public confrontation with Prime Minister Péter Magyar on the roof terrace of a government building in Budapest. The incident involved surreal exchanges, including references to hanging from pants and a preserved Coca-Cola box. Following this provocation, Magyar dismissed Havasi from his position. In response, Havasi issued a statement using derogatory nicknames for Magyar and, notably, directed aggressive rhetoric toward Gergely Gulyás, the Fidesz faction leader. Havasi criticized Gulyás’s plan to donate severance pay to charity, asserting that dismissed officials would decide how to use their funds. This public attack signals internal tension within the right-wing political sphere, suggesting Havasi remains aligned with Orbán’s inner circle while challenging current party leadership. The event highlights the volatile transition of power and ongoing friction between Orbán’s loyalists and the new administration led by Magyar.
444Hungarian PM Péter Magyar Dismisses Bertalan Havasi Following Bizarre Altercation
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has immediately dismissed Dr. Bertalan Havasi, the Deputy State Secretary of the Prime Minister's Cabinet Office and former press chief for Viktor Orbán. The dismissal, published in the Hungarian Gazette on May 16, 2026, follows a surreal confrontation between the two men at the Karmelita government complex in Buda Castle. Reports indicate the argument involved unusual elements, including a can of Coke and references to Havasi's trousers. Prior to his firing, Havasi had publicly stated he was seeking new employment because he refused to work under Magyar, though he remained in his post to secure severance pay. The Prime Minister's decision cites Section 228 of the Act on Government Administration. The incident highlights ongoing tensions within the Hungarian administration following the merger of ministries under the new Prime Minister's Office led by Bálint Ruff. Legal proceedings regarding severance may follow, as Havasi had anticipated being fired rather than resigning voluntarily.
444Magyar and Havasi Clash in Surreal Encounter at Karmelita Palace
Opposition leader Péter Magyar encountered Bertalan Havasi, former press chief to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, on the roof terrace of the Karmelita Palace in Budapest. The meeting, described as surreal, escalated into a heated verbal exchange. Havasi, who claimed he still works there despite the building now housing the Ministry of Social and Children's Affairs, engaged in bizarre banter, suggesting Magyar could hang from his pants for a better view. The conversation referenced a past controversy involving a crumpled Coke can kept by Havasi as a souvenir. Tensions rose when Magyar refused to hand over the hypothetical can, leading Havasi to threaten legal action, stating they would meet in court. Following the altercation, Prime Minister Orbán reportedly questioned security protocols, noting Havasi had no legitimate reason to be in the building. Havasi later stated he was accustomed to working weekends and was unaware of the ongoing transition of power. The incident highlights the tense atmosphere surrounding the transfer of government offices and the personal animosity between key political figures.
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