Szanyi Resigns as EP Delegation Head After Bet Scandal

Budapest, October 16 (MTI) – Tibor Szanyi, an MEP of the opposition Socialists, has resigned as the head of the European parliamentary delegation of the Socialists and the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK). His resignation, tendered late last night, was accepted by members of the delegation.

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Szanyi Sorry for Far-Right Biker Invite to Brussels

Szanyi was replaced by the Socialist Istvan Ujhelyi at the head of the four-member Socialist-DK group in the wake of a scandal involving Szanyi’s invitation of far-right bikers to Brussels to settle a bet, a statement from the delegation said.

Szanyi apologised on Wednesday for his insensitivity that may have “hurt some people’s feelings”.

Szanyi was slapped on the wrist by his party’s disciplinary committee for hosting members of an organisation called the Goy Motorists.

Party spokeswoman Bernadett Budai said the disciplinary committee had given Szanyi a warning but did not find him guilty of misconduct because he did not purposely violate the party’s basic rules. He was asked to refrain from similar action in the future.

Later in the day, the Socialists’ national board discussed the matter and ordered Szanyi to repay in full the cost of entertaining the far-righters. The body issued a position and distanced itself from Szanyi’s “mindless, ill-considered and morally unacceptable acts”.