Hungary is investigating the former Foreign Minister from Viktor Orban’s government in connection with how he obtained a leadership position at the Chinese car manufacturer BYD, reports Forbes.
Péter Szijjártó appeared on Monday before a parliamentary committee in Budapest to answer questions about his relationship with the Chinese car manufacturer BYD during his time as minister.
BYD is the world’s largest producer of electric cars, notes Forbes. Szijjártó left politics in July to take up a leadership position within the Chinese company. He gave up his parliamentary mandate on the same occasion.
Forbes recalls that Szijjártó held the position of Hungary’s foreign minister for 12 years under the leadership of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, until the electoral defeat of his party, Fidesz, in April, followed by the loss of governance.
Accusations of conflict of interest for Orban’s former minister
The announcement through which the former minister officially entered the private sector has generated accusations of conflict of interest. Szijjártó is suspected that, in his capacity as minister, he facilitated governmental subsidies for the Chinese manufacturer.
During Szijjártó’s tenure, the agreement was concluded that allowed BYD to open its first factory in Europe. The facility is located near the city of Szeged, in southern Hungary.
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