Former Hungarian foreign minister joins BYD after lobbying for subsidies for the company

Former Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó left parliament on Wednesday and took up a senior position at Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD.

The move has sparked controversy over a potential conflict of interest, according to the Associated Press.

Szijjártó served as Hungary’s minister of foreign affairs and trade from 2014 to 2026. He announced his decision on Facebook, calling the offer from BYD “an extremely great honor.” In his new role, he will be responsible for the group’s external relations and the development of new business areas.

“Starting from today, I will continue my work as an executive responsible for the group’s external relations and the development of new business areas,” Szijjártó wrote on social media.

Criticism over conflict of interest

The move immediately drew criticism. While in public office, Szijjártó actively promoted the attraction of Chinese investment to Hungary, including from BYD, which received significant state subsidies during his tenure.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar wrote on social media on Wednesday that Szijjártó had “long been advocating for foreign interests,” and recalled that he had “previously lobbied for BYD to receive large Hungarian state subsidies.” EU Observer described the move as “a classic revolving door.” Szijjártó’s departure came after former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party suffered a defeat in elections earlier this year.

BYD’s operations in Hungary

BYD is building its first European car factory in Szeged, in southern Hungary. Production of the compact electric vehicle Dolphin Surf is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. In June, the company’s executive vice president Stella Li told Reuters that “Hungary is now the number one priority” within BYD’s European manufacturing strategy.

The automaker is expanding its presence in Europe: the company operates in 35 countries and plans to grow its dealer network to more than 2,000 sales points by the end of this year. Szijjártó’s hiring is reportedly intended to leverage his political connections and diplomatic experience as BYD accelerates its expansion into European markets.