The amendment submitted by János Lázár, the construction and transport minister, was passed by the deputies of allied ruling Fidesz and Christian Democrats in mid-June, Keresztes noted in a video post on Facebook.

“Lázár is seeking to put 47 protected stately homes with adjoining buildings, riding halls and parks into the private hands of companies and various private individuals under his own decision as early as August,” he said, adding that the list of properties included the Nádasdy Castle of Sárvár, the Festecsics Mansion of Dég and the Bishop’s Palace of Sümeg.

“Those who want to execute such a plan are abusing their power and robbing the nation,” he said.

The LMP politician called it “utterly unacceptable” that various companies or private individuals should become the owners of protected buildings of historic significance which are currently owned by the Hungarian people and the Hungarian state.


Update from Hungary Around the Clock: Fee Set at HUF10 Million to Adopt a Castle

Construction and Transport Minister János Lázár would charge a fee of Ft 10 million to gain access to documents in the much-discussed castle adoption programme, according to a draft executive decree.

In exchange for the Ft 10 million, interested parties would only receive the documentation related to the allocation request, and the Ft 10 million would remain with the state even if the applicant does not ultimately obtain use of a castle.

The Ft 10 million charge appears in a draft executive decree related to the revised "castle law" approved in June.

Lázár’s initial proposal was criticised for permitting private ownership of state-owned castles, palaces and stately homes, under certain circumstances.

It has been amended following a Constitutional Court ruling and objections from then-president Katalin Novák.

The updated law, with 26 points of the original text having been rewritten, requires new owners of such properties to renovate, maintain, and operate them and stipulates that public collections must be accessible for at least 300 days a year.

The draft executive order, recently posted for public consultation, specifies that only full ownership transfers are allowed, with property management companies no longer an option.

The decree also outlines stricter requirements and oversight for property maintenance and public access.

The decree lists 47 properties eligible for the scheme, such as castles in Szabadkígyós, Edelény, and Füzérradvány.

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