In a significant development, the National Judicial Council (Országos Bírói Tanács, OBT) in Hungary has invalidated a controversial agreement made with the government last autumn.

The decision, which was confirmed by Hungarian news outlets Telex and HVG, came after a vote during the council's Wednesday meeting.

The resolution received ten affirmative votes with two abstentions, although András Varga Zs., President of the Curia and an ex-officio member of the council, abstained from the vote.

According to reports, Justice Minister Bence Tuzson participated in the meeting—the first time since the council's formation meeting a year ago.

Notably absent was Péter Szabó, the former OBT president who had initially signed the agreement with the government but resigned in December amid suspicions within judicial circles of potential political coercion.

Szabó's resignation was accompanied by a statement from the OBT, underscoring their cautious adherence to legal statutes: "The OBT's tasks and powers are determined by law, which it cannot overstep; its activities are solely governed by these regulations."

The annulled agreement, signed on November 22, 2024, entailed substantial reforms in the administration of justice, which according to Edit Hilbert, a former OBT president, trapped the council in a complex situation.

In an interview with HVG, Hilbert criticized the council's negotiation process as being marred by a lack of expertise in legal matters, asserting that Szabó exceeded his mandate by engaging secretly with the Justice Minister on salary-related details of the agreement.

In another move related to transparency and governance in Hungary, the government-aligned Nézőpont Intézet challenged the methodology of Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

In a statement by its director, Ágoston Sámuel Mráz, the institute described the CPI as methodologically questionable, biased, and urged Transparency not to release the index.

It further called upon the European Commission, European Parliament, media, and the public not to reference the CPI, requesting a revision of its methodology.

Transparency International Hungary, however, dismissed these criticisms, with executive director Dr. Martin József Péter labeling them as far from reality and part of conspiracy theories.

He pointed out the index's credibility and extensive use in policy-making and media references, noting the comprehensive and multilayered analytical processes that underpin Western democratic decision-making.

In a parallel judicial drama, Ferenc Baja, a prominent figure in Hungary's Socialist Party (MSZP), has resigned from all party positions amid corruption charges.

He announced his decision at the MSZP's executive meeting on Wednesday, relinquishing roles such as deputy chair of the party's board and chief of the Social Democracy platform.

Baja is implicated in a corruption case concerning public transport contracts, accused of accepting bribes worth millions.

Baja's resignation marks a significant shift for the MSZP, where he has been a key player for three decades, including stints as Minister of Environment and Regional Development and as a State Secretary.

Party leader Imre Komjáthi voiced support for the presumption of innocence but acknowledged the necessity for accused individuals to step back until their names are cleared.

The corruption case sees multiple politicians facing charges, including Horváth Csaba, Molnár Zsolt, and Tóth Csaba from MSZP, along with Jelen Tamás from the ruling Fidesz party.

The prosecutor's office has recommended significant prison terms and fines, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.

These developments underscore ongoing tensions in Hungary surrounding the judiciary's independence and perceptions of systemic corruption, reflecting broader political dynamics that have drawn international attention.