Hungarian billionaire claims to be long-time donor of Tisza Party: party says he only donated just days before elections

Hungary’s election-winning Tisza Party has announced it will return more than HUF 100 million (approximately EUR 274,000) in donations received from businessman György Wáberer, citing the need to maintain transparency and political independence.

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Péter Magyar, the party’s leader and incoming prime minister, said the sum—transferred in five instalments of HUF 20 million (around EUR 25,000)—arrived just five days before the elections. According to Magyar, this contradicts Wáberer’s earlier claim in a television interview that he had been financially supporting the party for around a year and a half, because they could not find any financial support from him prior to the aforementioned 100 million, reports Telex.

They will send the 100 million back

In a statement published on social media, Magyar emphasised that the party is proud of its lawful and transparent financing practices. At the same time, he underlined that they wish to avoid even the appearance that any entrepreneur or oligarch could be linked to the party or benefit from such an association, directly or indirectly.

“For this reason, we will return the amount on Monday,” he said, adding that similar action would be taken in future if any donation were connected to requests deemed legally or morally questionable, or if a donor attempted to gain influence, leverage, or publicity.

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Tisza Party leader claims they will maintain transparency

Magyar also pledged full financial transparency, confirming that the party will disclose the names of all contributors who donate more than HUF 500,000 within the legally required timeframe.

Wáberer, one of Hungary’s wealthiest businessmen, had publicly backed the Tisza Party in the final days of the campaign, arguing that the country needs change and calling for what he described as “a more liveable Hungary” and a clearer economic direction.

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Featured image: Anadolu Agency