Socialists voice conditional support for probe into Fidesz’s 2010 campaign spending

The Socialist Party on Thursday said it is prepared to back radical nationalist, Jobbik’s call for an investigation into ruling Fidesz’s spending during the 2010 election campaign on the condition that it can preside over the parliamentary committee examining the case.

Socialist support for the probe would be conditional on expanding the investigation to cover Fidesz’s campaign activities between 2010 and 2017 as well as contracts signed between parties contesting the 2010 and 2014 elections and Mahir Cityposter, an operator of advertisement columns, over the past seven years.

Mahir Cityposter is linked to construction and media magnate Lajos Simicska, a founder of Fidesz who had large sway over its finances but later fell out with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Fidesz accuses Simicska of putting his wealth and business interests at the service of Jobbik.

Meanwhile, Jobbik MP György Szilágyi on Thursday called on the prime minister to admit to committing electoral fraud in order to win the 2010 election.

Now “the friends and relatives of Fidesz officials” fill all important state positions and “theft and corruption” take place at a state level, Szilágyi told a press conference.