Szijjártó's BYD Move
Former Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó Takes Key International Role at China's BYD
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Key Points
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Szijjártó’s political career spans more than two decades, including roles as Orbán’s personal spokesman in 2010, state secretary for foreign affairs and foreign economic relations from 2012, and foreign minister from 2014 until 2026.
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His tenure included controversial ties to Russia, with leaked phone calls to Sergei Lavrov and reports that he fed information back to Moscow during EU Council deliberations, including a later call after the Wagner group’s putsch.
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BYD’s European footprint in Hungary includes its first European EV production facility in Szeged, with production of European cars expected to begin by the end of 2026, alongside a Budapest European headquarters.
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Szijjártó criticised EU plans to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, arguing that Europe should pursue cooperation with China rather than confrontation.
Péter Szijjártó, Hungary's foreign minister for more than a decade, has quit parliament to join Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD as an executive overseeing external relations and new business development. He called the offer "highly prestigious" United24 Media.
The move caps a 20-plus-year political career that saw Szijjártó champion Chinese investment in Hungary and resist EU pressure on Beijing. Critics are already calling it a textbook "revolving door" — a politician cashing in on relationships built in office EUobserver.
Two Decades in Politics, One Door Revolving Out
Szijjártó spent more than 20 years in Hungary's National Assembly. He started as Viktor Orbán's personal spokesman in 2010. He became state secretary for foreign affairs in 2012 and foreign minister in 2014, a post he held until 2026 Los Angeles Times.
His departure follows Orbán's government losing a recent election. Szijjártó had already been absent from parliament before formally resigning his seat. His exit marks the end of one of Hungary's most controversial foreign policy eras EUobserver.
BYD Already Has Deep Roots in Hungary
BYD is not new to Hungary. The Chinese automaker has set up its European headquarters in Budapest. It is also building its first European EV production plant in the southern city of Szeged. That factory is expected to start making cars for European buyers by the end of 2026 United24 Media.
Szijjártó spent years courting Chinese companies to invest in Hungary. His new role — leading external relations and new business areas at BYD — fits directly with that work. Critics say the appointment shows how political access gets converted into corporate value Los Angeles Times.
His Record: Russia Ties, EU Defiance, Pro-China Stance
Szijjártó's tenure was not without scandal. Leaked phone calls showed him speaking with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Reports also claimed he passed information to Moscow during private EU Council meetings — including a call made after the Wagner mercenary group's failed putsch in 2023 EUobserver.
He also clashed openly with the EU over trade policy. When Brussels proposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Szijjártó pushed back hard. He argued that Europe should cooperate with China, not confront it. That position now looks like a preview of his next job Los Angeles Times.
What the Move Signals for Europe's EV Landscape
BYD is racing to build a European presence before trade barriers go up. The Szeged plant gives the company a foothold inside the EU, avoiding import tariffs. Hiring a former foreign minister with 12 years of relationship-building across Europe gives BYD something money alone cannot buy: access United24 Media.
The appointment drew backlash in Hungary and abroad. Opponents say it undermines trust in public office. But for BYD, the hire is a clear bet that Szijjártó's political network is worth more in a boardroom than it ever was in a parliament EUobserver.
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