Árpád Répássy

Árpád Répássy, then president of the Miskolc Regional Court, was appointed general deputy president of the National Office for the Judiciary (OBH) by President János Áder on September 30, 2019. Press coverage criticized the appointment because Répássy is a cousin of Fidesz politician Róbert Répássy, who served as a Fidesz member of parliament for more than twenty years and held a justice-ministry state secretary post. Reporting at the time described Árpád Répássy as 'one of the judges most loyal' to then-OBH president Tünde Handó, being the first to back her initiatives — including steps some members of the National Judicial Council (OBT) considered irregular. Given the timing and context, press coverage also suggested the appointment was meant to position Répássy as Handó's potential successor once her nine-year mandate expired in 2021. Some observers characterized his leadership style as 'dictatorial,' a description that fed concerns within the OBH about the appointment.