Gergely Gulyás, deputy group leader of ruling Fidesz, told the paper that the 2014 election campaign had seen a number of “business parties” which were entitled to a state subsidy despite having “no meaningful activities”.

Up to 2016, those parties had drawn a total 630 million forints (EUR 3m) from the central budget, and though they were fined a combined 2 billion forints, only 2% of that grand total has been collected, the paper quoted Gulyás as saying.

Hungary currently has over 100 registered parties, and as next year’s election draws near, there may be a proliferation of new parties with several organisations and movements having indicated their intention to become parties, Magyar Idők said.

Fidesz is planning to hold five-party talks on the proposal and submit the motion to parliament before the end of its spring season, Gulyás said.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.