Vona: Jobbik starts crowdfunding campaign to pay fine

The opposition Jobbik party is launching a crowdfunding campaign to pay a potential fine of 660 million forints (EUR 2.1 million) the State Audit Office (ÁSZ) is going to impose on it, party leader Gábor Vona said on Friday. 

Jobbik is also collecting signatures from international organisations and private individuals to join the party’s protest against the fine, Vona told a press conference. The fine concerns not only the party but also the issue of democracy and Hungary as whole because it shows that ruling Fidesz “wants to sweep away the only enemy that has stayed on its feet”.

Earlier this week ÁSZ accused the party of having accepted over 330 million forints (over EUR 1m) in illegal financing.

The president of State Audit Office (ÁSZ) is László Domokos, who was member of the Hungarian National Assembly (MP) in Fidesz fraction.

The fine could prevent Jobbik from running in next year’s parliamentary elections, Vona said, adding that there is no forum to appeal against ÁSZ procedures.