Moreover, the ruling party claimed in official documentation that it had paid just 36 million forints, Nyakó said. Fidesz paid media magnate Lajos Simicska a much lower price than radical nationalist Jobbik paid for billboards in its recent antigovernment campaign, he added.

Simicska at the time had a key role in the Fidesz party and now supports Jobbik. Fidesz has accused Jobbik of colluding with Simicska and buying ad space at a reduced price. Jobbik has denied the charge.

Fidesz in response said that the Socialists “must be in great despair” if they are still occupied with scrutinising the outcome of the 2010 elections.

If the party is serious about making campaign financing more transparent, it should “come clean” and explain how much money it had acquired through the alleged 3 billion forint tax fraud committed by one of its municipal representatives and lawyer, Csaba Czeglédy, through Budapest’s fourth metro construction project and funds received from US billionaire George Soros, Fidesz said in a statement.

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