Hungary’s state auditor (ÁSZ) has proposed freezing state funding in respect of 157 small political parties until they can prove they are legally above-board.
Out of 173 parties screened, only three had complied with their obligation to publish financial statements and accord with transparency requirements: the Alternative Party, the AQUILA Party and the Hungarian Liberal Party, the auditor’s vice president, Magdolna Holman, told a press briefing on Wednesday.
The majority of Hungarian political parties are not eligible to receive central budget support on a regular basis, having failed the requirement to secure at least 1 percent of the vote in the last general election.
Parties that pass the screening, however, are permitted to draw up a national list for an election and nominate candidates who can access significant amounts of public money.
featured image illustration via Zoltán Balogh/MTI
