"Fidesz and its remaining propagandists are mocking the fact that Vilmos Katai-Nemeth, despite being blind, can serve as a minister in the Tisza government. What kind of person does such a thing?" Magyar said on Facebook.

Hegedus quoted from Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

"Political debates come and go. Humanity endures. Disability should never be the subject of ridicule," the health minister added.

Index reported that the prime minister likely referred to a speech by the journalist Robert Abraham, who, in a recent presentation mentioned several public figures by name in a derogatory manner.

Social affairs minister accuses pro-Fidesz influencer of incitement

Vilmos Katai-Nemeth, the minister of social and family affairs, on Monday accused Robert Abraham, a pro-Fidesz influencer, of incitement, saying it was "clear to everyone with empathy" that his recent derogatory remarks about him were not about his blindness.

The minister responded to Abraham's speech at the 20th National Week event in Balatongyorok on July 3, where the influencer in a demeaning way referred to several public figures by name, calling Katai-Nemeth a "grinning blind man".

Katai-Nemeth condemned the rhetoric, saying: "It was all about putting on a show, proving how cool we are, so let's get a dig in at the blind, or next time wheelchair users, let's stir up hatred again, because we thrive on it."

He contrasted this with what he called opposition Fidesz's "paternalistic approach" while it was in power, underlining his preference for consultation over condescension and noting that he met with the National Disability Council last week.

"Every person has value, and that includes people with disabilities," Katai-Nemeth said. "They contribute in countless ways; through sports, work, poetry, recitals, dance. They are equal members of society, just like anyone else. Robert Abraham insulted that yesterday."

In response to a question, the minister emphasised that people with disabilities did not seek special rights, only the same as everyone else. 

"If you listen to us, we'll tell you ourselves," he added. "We ask for inclusion, which comes with certain necessities like accessibility, but we're not asking for spaceships."

Prime Minister Peter Magyar and Zsolt Hegedus, the minister of health, also condemned Abraham's remarks over the weekend.​​​​​​​

MTI Stock Photo

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.

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