According to internal sources, Péter Szijjártó was never particularly fond of career diplomats — some say because he himself was a political appointee, installed without any diplomatic training. Rather than the slow, convoluted machinery of traditional diplomacy, he preferred direct, results-driven showcases, chiefly in economic and foreign-trade matters; his favourite photo opportunity was, reportedly, the ribbon-cutting at a new factory. Now, startling figures have emerged concerning the personnel policy pursued during his tenure.
Appointments without open competition in the Szijjártó ministry
According to an investigation by 444.hu, which consulted numerous sources familiar with the relevant procedures, well over a third of diplomatic posts were filled not through open competition but by direct political appointment.
Ministry data obtained by the outlet show that between 2022 and 2026, 3,177 foreign-service positions were advertised, yet only 1,502 were filled on the basis of competitive applications. In a further 919 cases, the ministry’s leadership directly selected the individuals dispatched to particular posts.
This practice extended even to the most sought-after overseas assignments. In North America, for instance, more diplomats were appointed by direct decision than through successful competition: 58 to 47. In Europe the gap was narrower: 393 recruited via competition, compared with 326 directly nominated.
Three-quarters of staff turned over
Sources within the foreign ministry told 444.hu that this formed part of a broader personnel strategy. Szijjártó is said to have regarded the traditional model — in which officials with formal diplomatic training advance over many years through the ranks — as secondary. Between 2014 and 2026, roughly three-quarters of the ministry’s staff were replaced.
The paper reported that the ministry also admitted individuals linked to Fidelity (Fidelitas), the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), Szijjártó’s sporting contacts, or the families of governing-party politicians and NER-affiliated entrepreneurs. Some hires, sources claimed, were determined by instructions from above.The resulting system thus operated alongside the classical diplomatic career path a more direct, leadership-driven personnel model — and, according to the numbers, this was not exceptional but routine.
A lucrative BYD post for the former foreign minister
Péter Szijjártó was one of the principal campaign figures for Fidesz in April’s election, alongside former prime minister Viktor Orbán and former construction and transport minister János Lázár. After the poll he won a seat in parliament, but resigned it a few weeks ago upon revealing that he had accepted a senior international position with the Chinese BYD group — a firm he (and the Hungarian state) had previously supported with hundreds of billions of forints.
BYD’s first European factory, currently under construction in Szeged, is due to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2026.Police have since declined to open a criminal investigation into allegations of bribery connected with the appointment, citing lack of suspicion of an offence; however, the parliamentary National Security Committee continues to examine potential national-security risks arising from Szijjártó’s new role.
Exclusive interview – Chinese Ambassador: Hungary-China ties on a ‘steady track’ as Budapest emerges as a potential robotics hub
Vége van kakadu. Vége.