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Security Risks to Hungary of Szijjarto's BYD Job to be Examined

• 21 Jul 2026 9:11 AM

The national security risks of former foreign affairs and trade minister Péter Szijjártó's decision to take a position at BYD leading external relations and new business development must be examined, a ruling Tisza party MP and foreign ministry state secretary said.

Gyorgy Laszlo Velkey said in parliament before the agenda that the national security committee must convene immediately and examine what national security risks Szijjarto's decision entails.

"What national security risks arise from the fact that Hungary's former foreign minister, who had access to the country's most sensitive foreign policy, economic diplomacy, and national security information, has now taken on a senior leadership role at a major corporation in a foreign country that is not part of Hungary's system of allies?" he asked, adding that the company's chief executive is a member of the Chinese Communist Party.

Velkey noted that Szijjarto is joining the very same Chinese global multinational that he had lobbied for so hard while in government.

In response to the remarks, Prime Minister Peter Magyar expressed his agreement that the committee should investigate "Szijjarto's manoeuvres, even retroactively".

PM: Govt to probe former foreign minister's decisions on BYD investment support

Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the government would scrutinise all decisions taken by Peter Szijjarto, the former foreign minister, related to an investment by Chinese vehicle maker BYD in Szeged (SE Hungary), addressing lawmakers in parliament.

Magyar noted that Szijjarto had recently taken a position with BYD after coordinating "hundreds of billions" of forints of support, state infrastructure and diplomatic assistance for the company as the minister in charge of FDI in the former government.

He said the new government would revisit decisions on all support, tax preferences and permits issued for BYD's plant in expedited procedures, weighing the consideration for taxpayers, labourers, local residents and the environment.

MTI Stock Photo

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.

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• Security Risks Former Foreign Affairs Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó BYD Tisza Party Foreign Ministry State Secretary

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