Once the full investigation is completed, the National Audit Office may propose an amendment to the law.Continue reading
The State Audit Office has revealed that left-wing parties and NGOs received HUF 4B (EUR 10.2M) in foreign funding for the 2022 election, raising transparency concerns, Magyar Nemzet writes.
In the 2022 parliamentary election campaign, opposition parties and NGOs utilized approximately four billion forints in foreign funds, according to a recent report from the State Audit Office. Among the recipients, the Mindenki Magyarországa Mozgalom (MMM), led by Péter Márki-Zay, received over HUF 1.8B (EUR 4.6M), notably sourced from Dávid Korányi, an advisor to Gergely Karácsony (progressive mayor of Budapest), who sought to raise funds through his organization, Action for Democracy. The State Audit Office’s investigation into MMM’s spending has uncovered the use and origin of HUF 261.26M (EUR 568k), with an additional HUF 1.412B (EUR 3.6M) under scrutiny by the National Tax and Customs Administration. The partial report highlights discrepancies in campaign financing,
particularly regarding the “government change rally” and various campaign materials.
Other opposition parties, including DK, Jobbik, Momentum, MSZP, LMP, and Párbeszéd, are accused of circumventing legal requirements in campaign financing and expenditure. The State Audit Office’s findings suggest a disregard for transparency and proper administration of justice during the election campaign.
Campaign activities funded by foreign donations include SMS campaigns, automated phone calls, social media advertising, and database building, totaling HUF 860M (EUR 2.2M). Notably, DatAdat, a group with ties to the circle of former socialist Prime Ministers Ferenc Gyurcsány and Gordon Bajnai, handled these activities. Additionally, significant sums were spent on campaign rallies, posters, leaflets, and publications.
Former PM, Ferenc Gyurcsány. Photo: Facebook
Despite denials from some actors, the report indicates extensive reliance on foreign funds.
The heavy fine imposed underscores the seriousness of the violations, with opposition parties collectively forced to pay HUF 261M fine (EUR 568k) because of illegal funding.
The State Audit Office’s report sheds light on the financial intricacies of the 2022 parliamentary election campaign, raising questions about the influence of foreign funding on the country’s political landscape. As investigations continue, the full extent of these activities and their implications for future elections remains to be seen.