Hungarian state auditor: 2016/17 ruling party finances in order

The finances of allied ruling Fidesz and Christian Democrats complied with regulations in 2016 and 2017, and the two parties ensured transparency in their use of public monies, the State Audit Office (ÁSZ) said in a report released on Tuesday.

In its 2016 financial asset declaration, Fidesz reported income of 1.84 billion forints (EUR 5.8m) and spending of 1.57 billion forints, State Audit Office said on its website.

In 2017, the party’s income totalled 1.57 billion forints and spending 1.25 billion.

In each of those years, Fidesz received central budget funding of 876.6 million forints, the office said.

The Christian Democrats reported income in 2016 of 172.2 million forints and spending of 166.2 million. In 2017, income totalled 210.3 million forints and spending 171 million. The party received central funding of 152.7 million forints in each of those years, ÁSZ said.

The auditor said Fidesz had established a system of financial control but in 2017 it did not set up a relevant supervisory board as new basic rules prescribed.

ÁSZ asked the party’s head to prepare an action plan within 30 days to address the issue.

The audit revealed a weakness in KDNP’s accounting and ÁSZ also asked the party’s head to prepare an action plan within 30 days to address them.

THE HUNGARIAN STATE AUDIT OFFICE CONTINUES TO FINANCIALLY UNDERMINE THE OPPOSITION?

Source: MTI