On Wednesday Péter Szijjártó announced that he will resign his seat in the Hungarian National Assembly to take a senior role at BYD, the Chinese electric‑vehicle manufacturer. The move ends his short‑lived comeback after the 2024 parliamentary election and removes a key conduit between Budapest and Beijing at a time when the ruling Fidesz party is confronting both domestic unease and European Union investigations.

From foreign minister to corporate envoy

Szijjártó served as Hungary’s foreign minister from 2014 until 2022, during which he was a regular presence at international summits and a vocal advocate of the government’s “Opening to the East” policy. After the 2024 election loss his parliamentary attendance fell and his personal Facebook feed was dominated by football posts rather than legislative activity.

In his new capacity at BYD he will manage the company’s international outreach and the launch of new business divisions across Europe, receiving remuneration from the private firm rather than from Hungarian taxpayers.

Political reaction

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán posted a brief message on his official social‑media account wishing Szijjártó luck and noting the transfer to BYD. The post was widely shared by supporters and critics alike, turning the appointment into a flashpoint for debate about Hungary’s growing reliance on Chinese capital.

Former opposition MP Péter Magyar told the weekly newspaper HVG that Szijjártó never defended Hungary’s interests but those of foreign powers, that his new job will be funded by a Chinese employer rather than Hungarian taxpayers, and warned that the appointment puts a former senior official in the service of the Chinese Communist Party.

Fidesz communications director Bertalan Havasi told HVG that Szijjártó had recently met with Orbán, described the party’s condition as “not good and chaotic in places”, said Orbán is working tirelessly to stabilise the situation, and expressed optimism that the party will weather the crisis.

Economic backdrop

BYD opened its first European manufacturing plant in Szeged in 2023 and announced plans in 2025 to establish a regional headquarters in Budapest. Hungarian authorities have provided BYD with subsidies amounting to tens of billions of forints, and the Orbán government secured a €1 billion loan for Chinese investment projects.

The Szeged plant has created several thousand jobs, but trade unions have complained about limited collective bargaining rights and the prevalence of temporary contracts. The European Trade Union Confederation has called for stricter oversight of foreign direct investment to protect workers’ rights.

EU scrutiny and sustainability concerns

The European Commission has opened investigations into state aid granted to BYD and other Chinese projects to determine whether they breach competition rules. If violations are found, the EU could impose fines or require repayment, adding pressure to Hungary’s public finances.

Environmental NGOs note that while electric‑vehicle production is presented as climate‑friendly, battery raw‑material extraction often involves environmentally harmful mining abroad. They have urged the EU to adopt stricter sustainability criteria for EV supply chains, a demand that could clash with Hungary’s efforts to attract Chinese investment.

Implications for Fidesz and the ruling coalition

Szijjártó’s departure removes a senior figure who had acted as a link between Budapest and Beijing, joining the earlier exit of former transport minister János Lázár. Analysts see the exits as a weakening of the group that previously formed the public face of the regime.

Fidesz still holds a two‑thirds majority in the National Assembly, and constitutional safeguards and internal party structures limit the ability to replace entrenched officials. However, polls released this week show Prime Minister Orbán’s popularity at a historic low, while a former mayor named Magyar is experiencing a rise in public support.

Some commentators suggest that senior party members could split from Fidesz if they feel marginalised or if reliance on Chinese capital provokes domestic backlash. Within the party, Szijjártó’s resignation may accelerate calls for internal reform, including possible reshuffling of senior positions to restore credibility. Party members warn that any perceived concession to foreign interests could deepen divisions between hard‑line nationalists and pragmatic technocrats.

Future of the “Eastern Opening”

The Orbán government continues to promote its “Eastern Opening” strategy as a counterbalance to perceived Western economic pressure. Yet growing voter unease, EU scrutiny and the risk of a party split suggest that the strategy may be reaching its limits. Analysts say the coming months will determine whether the ruling party can maintain power or will need to adjust its foreign‑policy agenda.