Mađarski bivši visoki diplomata napušta parlament da bi se pridružio kineskom BYD-u

Peter Szijjarto, Hungary’s former foreign minister, has resigned from parliament and joined Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD in an executive capacity, according to a social media post published on Wednesday. The announcement marks a dramatic shift in the political career of a key figure in Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party under Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Szijjarto, who served as Hungary’s top diplomat for nearly 12 years, stated that he accepted “a highly prestigious offer” from BYD, which he described as “one of the greatest success stories in the automotive industry over the past 20 years.” His new role involves overseeing the company’s external relations and the development of new business lines. This move comes just months after Orban’s government suffered a crushing electoral defeat in April, losing power to the pro-European Tisza party led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar. Since stepping down from his position as foreign minister, Szijjarto has largely withdrawn from public life. He has missed most parliamentary sessions and has been absent from social media activity, save for occasional posts. He has held a parliamentary seat since 2002, making this transition both unexpected and notable. In 2023, Szijjarto played a pivotal role in facilitating BYD’s plan to establish its first European factory in Hungary. This decision allowed the Chinese automaker to bypass European Union import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, which have been implemented to shield the region’s domestic automotive industry. The project, which required extensive negotiations, was hailed by Szijjarto as “one of the largest investments in Hungarian economic history.” As Hungary’s foreign affairs and trade minister, Szijjarto worked closely with BYD to secure the deal, emphasizing the importance of the partnership for Hungary’s economy. During his tenure, he also supported efforts to attract substantial investment from China, including the establishment of several Chinese EV battery manufacturing plants within the country. His government also collaborated with Beijing on infrastructure projects, such as the development of a rail corridor linking Hungary and Serbia, which is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. These initiatives underscored the deepening ties between Hungary and China, particularly under Orban’s leadership. Despite his close ties with China, Szijjarto maintained a complex relationship with Russia. Even as Russia waged a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he continued frequent visits to Moscow, engaging in discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He referred to Lavrov as his “friend,” and in 2021, he was honored with the Russian Order of Friendship by President Vladimir Putin. This closeness to Russia drew criticism, especially following revelations in 2023 that Szijjarto had regularly communicated with Lavrov during high-level EU meetings, sharing live updates on discussions. While he denied wrongdoing, he acknowledged that he had consulted with Lavrov before and after these meetings. The controversy surrounding Szijjarto escalated further in March when the Orban government accused a prominent Hungarian investigative journalist of espionage for probing Szijjarto’s communications with Lavrov. The charges were later dropped after the newly elected government under Magyar took office. Szijjarto’s departure from politics and entry into the corporate world signals a significant change in Hungary’s political landscape. His influence, once central to the nation’s foreign policy, now appears to be shifting toward the private sector. As he moves forward with his new role at BYD, the implications of his decision remain to be seen.