A recently released drone video has set off a political storm in Hungary, showing the vast and opulent estate of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s family in Hatvanpuszta, near Alcsút. The footage, widely shared on social media, reveals a sprawling L-shaped manor surrounded by manicured gardens, exotic animals—including zebras grazing in the fields—and facilities that go far beyond what might be expected of a traditional farm.
Among the visible features are a palm garden, an underground garage, heated walkways, and even subterranean corridors linking several buildings. Official energy certification records list some of the newly constructed structures as residential, which critics say undermines the government’s claim that the property is merely Orbán’s father’s agricultural estate “still under construction.” The prime minister’s office maintains it serves farming purposes, not as a luxurious private residence.
The video was made public by independent MP Ákos Hadházy, who also alleged that construction workers on site were forced to surrender their phones and faced intimidation—raising questions about transparency. The images quickly went viral, drawing sharp responses from both the public and political figures. Former Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski mocked the idea of zebras on a Hungarian farm, asking whether they were “traditional livestock.” Many commentators drew comparisons to Mezhyhirya, the infamous palatial residence of former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.
Hadházy went further by inviting citizens to gather at the site’s fence for a public “viewing” of the property. Thousands reportedly turned up, hoping to catch a glimpse of what lay inside. The revelations come at a politically sensitive moment: opposition leader Péter Magyar has vowed to investigate the wealth and assets of Orbán’s family—Hatvanpuszta included—if his party wins the 2026 elections.
The scandal risks deepening political trouble for the ruling party, which is already facing opinion polls suggesting potential losses. For many Hungarians, the zebra-dotted lawns and lavish architecture of Hatvanpuszta have become a potent symbol of the widening gap between the prime minister’s populist rhetoric and the private privileges enjoyed by those in his inner circle.
