Staggering costs revealed: How Viktor Orbán’s frequent travelling with military planes is draining Hungarian taxpayers by millions
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán regularly uses the Hungarian Defence Forces’ aircraft, which was previously designated as a non-governmental asset. Over the last year, Orbán has taken at least thirteen flights on this plane. But how much are these trips costing Hungarian taxpayers?
According to HVG360, since June 2023, the state has spent more than HUF 800 million (EUR 2 million) on Viktor Orbán’s foreign trips, a sharp rise compared to the previous 18 months, when these expenses totalled around HUF 500 million (EUR 1.2 million).
Source: Facebook / Viktor Orbán
Around half of Orbán’s foreign trips have been to EU member states. However, frequent visits to Eastern countries, raising questions about Hungary’s alliance with the EU, have also been prominent. Accompanying Orbán are often key figures such as EU Affairs Minister János Bóka, State Secretary János Máté, House of Terror Museum Director Mária Schmidt, foreign policy advisor Zsuzsanna Rahói, and political director Balázs Orbán.
On several occasions, Portuguese politician Mario David, along with ministers Gergely Gulyás, Csaba Lantos, Mihály Varga, and Márton Nagy, have also joined the Hungarian PM. Additionally, an undisclosed family member, likely the prime minister’s wife, has been part of these delegations.
Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow
In July, just five days after Hungary assumed the EU Presidency, Viktor Orbán travelled to Moscow for discussions with Vladimir Putin. He was joined by a 13-member delegation that included Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and other senior officials. As part of a brief diplomatic tour, Orbán also visited Kyiv, accompanied by Roger Köppel, the editor-in-chief of the Swiss publication Weltwoche, who later praised the Prime Minister as a hero.
This visit sparked significant controversy within the European Union, as Orbán’s meeting with Putin raised concerns about his implicit representation of EU interests. Many EU officials expressed discontent, leading to ongoing debates about the implications and potential “benefits” of this encounter for the European Union.
The statistics
Newly released data from the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade details the aggregate costs for Orbán’s trips, though without specifying expenses per destination. Based on the information available so far, around HUF 540 million (EUR 1.3 million) was spent on accommodation, HUF 255 million (EUR 630 000) on travel costs and HUF 15 million (EUR 37 000) on daily allowances for 60 trips.
With only a few months left in Hungary’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Prime Minister Orbán is expected to undertake several more trips abroad as part of his declared mission for peace. Additionally, as an EU representative, he will continue to attend various EU events regularly. As a result, travel-related expenses and statistics are anticipated to increase further in the future.
Read also:
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1 Comment
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Orban – his Fidesz Government, have BLEED us – Hungary, as a nation of citizens, over the entire 15 years, they have been the Government of Hungary.
WHAT have they DELIVERED us ?
This is another example of the ABUSE of tax payers Money.
Prime Ministers, Ministers – need to travel.
In saying that – the purpose / reason of there travel needs to be JUSTIFIED explained exhibited and COMMUNICATED of there travels outcome.
Its TAX payers MONEY they are muchly “Joy Riding” around the world, and in a DEMOCRACY.
That’s the KEY word in Hungary – DEMOCRACY – through Victor Mihaly. Orban – as he continues the DISTILLATION of Democracy in Hungary, positioning us as a country, that “moves” closer to be a Dictatorship, under the Laws of Communism.
We KNOW – the on-going GROWTH & Development – the expansion Orban and his Fidesz Government continue on, in there “Brotherhood” of China and Russia.
Hungary – in the 15 years Orban – the Fidesz Government have been in POWER – we have NEVER, never, never – been SERVED with – Honest Transparency of the Operations and Practices of this Orban Government.
It could be viewed by MILLIONS as an abuse of the “Powers ” Invested in them, to represent the citizens of Hungary, this “Code of Silence” – being a CREED of there Party behaviour.
Orban – the Fidesz Government, have TRASHED us as a country.
Orban – the Fidesz Government are STRANGULATED as a Government, to PROGRESS Hungary.
Hungary – we are “spiraling” downwards – for a cataclysmic CRASH landing, that continues to dispose of in millions of Hungarians – that DEPRIVES – STAVES us – with any form of OPPORTUNITIES in our personal FUTURE and as a country.
Catain Orban & Co-Pilot – Mihaly Varga – factually have LOST control of Hungary, that to STABLIZE our country – Hungary, from the un-known NADIR we are in – IMPOSSIBLE.
Hungary – we are in for a “Bumpier Ride” – tighten those Seat Belts.
Hungary – we have been FAILED.