The Orbán government secretly allocated at least HUF 500 billion (EUR 1.36 billion) in public funds in the months before the April election, according to an investigation by Hungarian news outlet 24.hu based on previously non-public government decisions obtained through a public-interest data request.
The money was allocated to companies, foundations, associations, cultural organisations, dioceses and various areas of the state budget. Funding was also provided for sporting events, other programmes and property purchases.
55 secret Orbán government decisions released
According to 24.hu, the documents consist of 55 so-called “2000” government decisions obtained from the Prime Minister’s Office. They had not previously been publicly available. The Prime Minister’s Office reportedly determined that these 55 documents could be disclosed because their publication did not conflict with national security, defence or law-enforcement interests.
Based on their numbering, however, 24.hu estimates that another 28 decisions could remain confidential. The disclosed documents reveal hundreds of billions of forints in government allocations and commitments.
Billions allocated to companies
Sixteen companies received a combined HUF 47 billion (more than EUR 127.67 million), with individual allocations ranging from HUF 190 million to HUF 14 billion (from around EUR 516,000 to more than EUR 38 million). One of the largest packages, worth around HUF 14 billion, was conditionally offered to Rosenberger Magyarország Elektronikai Kft. and Rosenberger Automotive Cabling Kft. for manufacturing capacity expansions at three sites outside Budapest.
Vajda-Papír Kft. was awarded more than HUF 11.5 billion (more than EUR 31.2 million) for an investment in Dunaföldvár, with a substantial part of the funding reportedly due to be paid in 2027.
HUF 6.2 billion for heritage foundation
The Orbán government also awarded HUF 6.2 billion (more than EUR 16.8 million) to the Central European Foundation for the Preservation of Built Heritage, which has been associated with Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
Companies established by the foundation have acquired properties in neighbouring countries, including derelict historic buildings, with plans to convert some into hotels. The reason for the HUF 6.2 billion allocation was reportedly not clear from the Orbán government’ decision.
Other spending included HUF 706 million (around EUR 1.9 million) for the state company responsible for managing state-owned castles and HUF 76 billion (almost EUR 206.5) for the construction of the Danube bridge at Mohács.
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HUF 8.6 billion for motorcycle racing
The Orbán government also allocated HUF 8.6 billion (more than EUR 23.35 million) to support the year’s MotoGP and Superbike motorcycle racing events. Meanwhile, HUF 1.043 billion (around EUR 2.83 million) was set aside for the establishment of two infant homes in Esztergom and Zalaegerszeg.
One of the final confidential decisions reportedly came after the government’s election defeat. Signed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, it instructed ministers to take steps to ensure previously undertaken financial commitments were fulfilled before the government handover, where their lawful fulfilment could be established.
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Legal questions over secret decisions
Miklós Ligeti, legal director of Transparency International Hungary, told 24.hu that using “2000” decisions to allocate budgetary funds was unlawful in formal terms. According to Ligeti, Hungarian law requires budget reallocations and financial allocations to be published in the Official Gazette, meaning they cannot be made through unpublished decisions of the Orbán government.
This is a legal assessment rather than a court ruling, and the legality of individual decisions remains a matter for the relevant authorities or courts. The disclosures have nevertheless raised fresh questions over the transparency and timing of the Orbán government’s use of public funds in the period surrounding the election.
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