Péter Szijjártó, Hungary's former foreign minister, has joined China's BYD carmaker, sparking controversy over potential corruption and conflicts of interest. The move comes after Szijjártó facilitated state subsidies and support for BYD during his tenure.

Critics argue that Szijjártó's appointment is a clear case of corruption, with 'tardigrade' stating, 'A company of BYD’s size hiring such a man to repay services rendered would be called corruption of the most outrageous kind anywhere in Europe.' Others defend the move as a legitimate business decision reflecting Hungary's economic strategy with China. 'tardigrade' also highlights that Hungary paid for the privilege of hosting Chinese industry, with state support for BYD's projects exceeding 71 billion forints (EUR 200 million), and the full bill estimated at around 300 billion forints.

The community is sharply divided. While some see the appointment as a corrupt transaction, others view it as a strategic move. The consensus is that the move raises serious legal and moral concerns, with the Orbán government's opaque and transactional foreign policy under scrutiny. The key fault lines lie between those who see it as a corruption scandal and those who see it as a necessary economic partnership.