---
title: "Investigation against BYD in Hungary: Former Minister Szijjártó and 'revolving doors'"
description: "Hungary has launched an investigation into subsidies for the Chinese automotive giant BYD. The trigger was the appointment of former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to a senior position at the company. Experts call this a classic example of «revolving doors» and the lack of a «cooling-off period» for officials. 🇭🇺🚗🚨"
date: 2026-07-23T13:32:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/investigation-against-byd-in-hungary-szijjarto-and-revolving-doors
tags: [hungary, peter-siyarto, byd, peter-magyar, transparency-international]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Investigation against BYD in Hungary: Former Minister Szijjártó and 'revolving doors'

![Former Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in glasses and a business suit, featured in the investigation against BYD and the 'revolving doors' scandal](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/23/rassledovanie-protiv-byd-v-vengrii-siyarto/rassledovanie-protiv-byd-v-vengrii-siyarto-1.webp)

A political scandal is unfolding in Hungary involving the Chinese automotive giant BYD. The country's authorities have launched a large-scale investigation into state subsidies and tax breaks granted to the electric vehicle manufacturer. The trigger for the inquiry was the appointment of the country's former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Péter Szijjártó, to a senior position at the company immediately after his departure from parliament.

### Prime Minister's Investigation

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán personally announced the investigation. According to him, investigative bodies will examine all decisions, negotiations, and state commitments related to BYD's investments in Hungary. Special attention will be paid to the actions taken by Péter Szijjártó during his tenure as minister.

«We will examine all decisions, negotiations, and state commitments made by Péter Szijjártó that concerned BYD Hungary investments», — stated Orbán. The investigation will also address how these decisions were prepared, whether professional warnings were ignored, and what consequences they may have had for the budget, local communities, and the environment.

### The 'Revolving Doors' Scandal

The situation has sparked a resonance in anti-corruption circles. Transparency International Hungary called Szijjártó's move to the private sector a classic example of so-called «revolving doors». This term describes the practice where high-ranking officials move to work for companies whose interests they previously represented at the state level.

Miklós Ligeti, Director of the organization's legal department, noted that Szijjártó's years of experience in the government could significantly enhance BYD's ability to influence Hungarian authorities' decisions. «We are witnessing the phenomenon of revolving doors in broad daylight, and we condemn it», — emphasized Ligeti. However, he added that there is currently no direct evidence that the appointment was a direct reward for decisions made by the former minister.

### Legal Vacuum and China's Interests

Experts point out the absence of a mandatory «cooling-off period» for former government members in Hungary. Such a norm usually restricts the immediate transition of officials to companies whose activities were linked to their previous powers. While serving as minister, Szijjártó was considered one of the main proponents of expanding Hungary's cooperation with China.

In addition to the BYD project, he participated in negotiations regarding the construction of Chinese battery factories, as well as the Belgrade — Budapest railway line, which is part of the «Belt and Road» initiative.

### Szijjártó's New Role and BYD's Plans

After leaving the government, Szijjártó officially took the position of Executive Director at BYD, responsible for international relations and the development of new business directions. The Chinese company is building its first European plant in Szeged, Hungary. Once launched, the facility will allow the manufacturer to produce electric vehicles directly within the European Union, making the question of the legality and transparency of the state benefits received critically important.