AI Generated Image
Top Orbán ally joins Chinese car giant BYD
politico.eu • • world
Key Points:
- Former Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó resigned from parliament to join Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD as an executive overseeing external relations and new business development.
- Prime Minister Péter Magyar criticized Szijjártó, accusing him of previously lobbying for large Hungarian state subsidies for BYD and representing foreign interests while in office.
- Szijjártó, a longtime Fidesz loyalist and former spokesperson for Viktor Orbán, was a key advocate for closer ties with China and Russia during his tenure as foreign minister.
- BYD is establishing a major European production hub in Hungary, with plans to begin assembling electric vehicles at its new factory later this year.
- This move follows a trend of former European politicians entering the automotive sector, such as former German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who will become CEO of a major car dealer in 2027.
