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Péter Szijjártó Resigns Parliament to Join Chinese EV Maker BYD
Former foreign affairs and trade minister Péter Szijjártó announced on Facebook that he has submitted his resignation from the Hungarian parliament to take up a senior international position at Chinese electric‑vehicle group BYD. He will be responsible for the company’s external relations and the development of new business lines. In his statement he called the offer “highly prestigious”. Szijjártó had been a key figure in securing substantial state subsidies for BYD’s Hungarian projects, including the Szeged car plant, the Komárom bus factory and a research centre in Budapest. The move sparked sharp criticism from opposition leader Péter Magyar, who accused Szijjártó of representing foreign interests and alleged corruption, saying he now works for the Chinese Communist Party. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán congratulated him, posting “A summer signing coup for BYD – go, Péter!”. BYD, one of the world’s largest EV manufacturers, continues to expand its European operations with significant investments in Hungary.