Hungary’s Orbán-era foreign minister grilled over ties to Chinese automaker after joining company
The committee is examining whether his role in securing subsidies for BYD created a conflict of interest, with the company set to receive 20 billion forints in aid.
- On Monday, former Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto appeared before the National Security Committee to answer questions about his dealings with Chinese automaker BYD while in office.
- Szijjarto, who served as Hungarian Minister for 12 years under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, resigned from parliament in July to take an executive position with BYD, prompting conflict of interest accusations.
- Prime Minister Péter Magyar told lawmakers that Szijjarto helped BYD secure "hundreds of billions" in public money, including a factory in Szeged and Budapest headquarters with $63.7 million in government assistance.
- Upon arriving at the hearing Monday, Szijjarto told reporters there had been "serious misunderstandings" related to BYD's investment, defending the subsidies as "well within the framework of the usual subsidies."
- Since taking office in May, Prime Minister Magyar has promised increased regulation and tighter oversight of Hungary's battery production sector following workplace accidents and contamination findings at several plants.
49 Articles
49 Articles
Former Hungarian FM Grilled over Joining BYD, Committee Floats Summoning Orbán
Former foreign minister Péter Szijjártó was questioned for around three hours on Monday over whether his move to BYD poses a national security risk after years spent attracting Chinese investment. Tisza members said important questions remained and left open both another hearing for Szijjártó and the possibility of summoning former prime minister Viktor Orbán.
The Hungarian Parliament's security committee has summoned former Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó, who now works for Chinese car manufacturer BYD.
The Hungarian Parliament's National Security Committee summoned former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó (Fidesz) on Monday in connection with his current work at the Chinese company BYD. The committee meeting was closed to the public.
Former Hungarian foreign minister Szijjártó questioned over BYD role in closed-door security hearing
Former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó faced three hours of questions over his new BYD role. What did he tell Parliament’s National Security Committee? Continue reading: https://dailynewshungary.com/szijjarto-questioned-over-byd-role/
National security committee to investigate circumstances surrounding Peter Szijjarto's ties to BYD
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
