Blind aikido master becomes Hungary's new Social Affairs Minister with zero political experience

From courtrooms to dojos, this trailblazer defied odds with 3% vision. Now, he's rewriting Hungary's social policies—without ever holding office before.

, and Administrator

2026 May 9 . 8:04 PM

1 min read

The image shows a man sitting at a table with microphones in front of him, wearing a white dress... — The image shows a man sitting at a table with microphones in front of him, wearing a white dress and a cap. On the table there are papers and other objects, and to the right of him is another person wearing spectacles. In the background there is a wall and a door, suggesting that the man is in a room. He appears to be speaking, likely about the recent news that he has been appointed as the Chief Minister of the Ministry of Health and Human Services.

Vilmos Katai-Németh, a nearly blind lawyer and aikido master, has been named Hungary’s Minister of Social Affairs and Family. The appointment comes after he won a landslide victory in Budapest’s 9th District with over 60% of the vote. His selection marks a shift in the country’s political landscape, as he enters office with no prior political experience. Katai-Németh was born with a hereditary condition called retinal atrophy, leaving him with just 3% of his vision. Despite this, he earned a law degree from Pázmány Péter Catholic University in 2007. After graduating, he opened a private practice focused on equal rights cases.

Beyond law, he became Hungary’s only aikido master, achieving a first-degree black belt (shodan). His expertise in martial arts led him to create *White Sword*, a self-defence system designed for the visually impaired. In 2024, he joined the newly formed Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar. The party’s recent election win propelled Katai-Németh into parliament, where he will now head the Ministry of Social Policy and Healthcare. His main priority is to push for equal access to healthcare and education for all citizens.

As minister, Katai-Németh will oversee policies aimed at reducing inequality in key public services. His background in law, advocacy for the disabled, and martial arts discipline set him apart in Hungary’s new government. The role will test his ability to turn his lifelong focus on equal rights into nationwide reforms.